Role of alveolar macrophages in controlling risk or protection from asthma. Ghent University
The prevalence of allergic asthma has reached epidemic proportions, especially in Westernized countries. This chronic inflammatory lung disease is caused by an exaggerated immune response to inhaled allergens such as house dust mite, pollen and animal dander. Research has shown that most patients become sensitized to allergen early in life and that several environmental factors can influence the risk for asthma development. For instance, ...