A new treatment has been discovered that is effective for 'neutrophilic asthma,' a refractory respiratory disease. This condition did not improve with existing asthma medications, making management difficult.

On the 25th, a joint research team consisting of Professor Yoo Ji-hwan from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Yonsei University College of Medicine, Dr. Han Seung-han, Professor Yoon Joo-heon (Emeritus) from Yonsei University, Professor Hwang Dae-hee from the Department of Life Sciences at Seoul National University, and Dr. Hyun Do-young announced that they have discovered a cell group that reduces inflammatory responses in asthma.

This research result was published in the latest issue of the international academic journal "Nature Communications" (IF 14.7).

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes breathing difficulties, characterized by narrowing or swelling of the airways, making it difficult for air to reach the lungs. It is treated with inhaled and systemic steroids, but one of the refractory types of asthma that responds minimally even to high doses of steroids is 'neutrophilic asthma.'

The progression of neutrophilic asthma is worsened by excessive activation of neutrophils. The signaling pathways of the IL-23 cytokine and Th17 inflammatory cells are known to be key factors in the development, but the exact cause has not yet been identified.

The research team first discovered an immune cell population (CD39+CD9+ macrophages) that suppresses hyperinflammation induced by IL-23/TH17 through mouse disease models and single-cell gene (RNAseq) analysis.

 

In mice with neutrophilic asthma, the number of CD39+CD9+ macrophages was less than 1%, but when an antibody inhibiting IL-23 activity was administered, it increased to 5%. Additionally, the proportion of neutrophils in the bronchi decreased to 90%, and Th17 cells decreased by 80%.

When CD39+CD9+ macrophages were injected, the neutrophil ratio decreased to 62% and Th17 cells to 63%, respectively. This reduction in these figures indicates that the specific immune cell population identified by the research team alleviates neutrophilic asthma.

 

Professor Yoo Ji-hwan said, "This study plays an important role in understanding the overall mechanisms of the causes and treatments of neutrophilic asthma," and added, "It is expected to aid in the treatment of intractable asthma patients, including neutrophilic asthma, through IL-23 activation inhibitors and specific cell groups (CD39+CD9+ macrophages)."

 

 

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Intractable respiratory disease 'neutrophilic asthma'

 

Fortunately, there are no asthma patients around me.

Looking at this, it seems like coughing is uncontrollable.

 

It would be very helpful once the medication is available.