Print Close WindowRespirable environmental factors (e.g. ambient atmospheric microparticulates and allergens) play a crucial role in the immunopathogenesis of asthma as well as other inflammatory airway diseases. The clinical course of inflammatory airway disease requires the interplay of extrinsic (the environment) and intrinsic (host genetic factors, the immune system) factors. Mobilization of the innate immune system has rapidly emerged as a key player in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation and disease. In this special focus issue of the journal, the interactions of the cellular components of innate immunity (particularly dendritic cell sub-populations) with the environment will be discussed. The role played by pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) recognition molecules, such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), and NOD-like receptors (NLRs) in sensing "environmental danger" signals will also be discussed in the context of their proposed initiation of the pro-allergic inflammatory response. Expert reviews and original research articles will provide a forum that critically appraises the State-of-the-Art in airway inflammation research. This special focus issue will provide the reader with a detailed appreciation of the escalating crisis of allergic airway disease and the immunological mechanisms responsible for it.
Copyright© 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel