Allergen-sensitzation and environmental exposures in early life interact synergistically to alter lung growth

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/458562

Funding Status
Closed

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Funded Activity Summary

Asthma develops as the result of complex interactions between genetic susceptibilities and environmental exposures. Approximately 40% of 6-year-old children in Perth are sensitized to inhaled allergens, however, only half of these have asthma. Allergic sensitization per se is therefore insufficient for the development of persistent asthma. A second hit, associated with lung inflammation in early life, increases this risk several fold. This second hit could come from viral infection or from other inflammatory stimuli such as exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollutants and vehicle exhaust emissions. The timing of this second hit may well be important, particularly if it is early while the lungs are still growing and developing. The aim of this project is to examine interactions between allergen sensitization and exposure to environmental hazards in early life using a mouse model of allergic inflammation. We will test the hypothesis that the combination of allergic sensitization and viral infections in early life alter lung growth, airway function and airway hyperresponsiveness, however, exposure to air pollutants can not provide the 'second hit required to induce persistent asthma. Determining the role viral infection and environmental pollution have early in life may provide us with a strategy for intervention that could prevent life-long changes in respiratory function and airway hyperresponsiveness.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2007

End Date: 01-01-2009

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $425,088.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Respiratory Diseases

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

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Other Keywords

airway infection as a cofactor for local damage | allergen induced inflammation in the respiratory tract | animal model | asthma | asthma disease induction and prevention | environmental risk factors | lung development | lung function | physiology of the respiratory system

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