2008 – ADAM33, the first asthma gene.
ADAM33, was the first novel asthma gene to be identified and cloned in the smooth muscle of the airways. However, if disrupted, it can ‘morph’ to become a harmful enzyme.
ADAM33 is tightly regulated as a membrane-associated protein that is usually tethered in the mesenchymal cells of the lungs. However if activated it can break this ‘tether’ and change into a rogue enzyme which promotes the increased smooth muscle and new blood capillaries. The activity of this gene is now thought be be associated with COPD and neutrophil proliferation. Enzymatic activity from dust mites has been shown to inhibit the natural control of neutrophil elastase. Neutrophil elastase is a damaging reactive in lung disorders such as COPD. See American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. Brown A. et al., 2003; Vol. 29: pp. 381-389, 2003
Similar pages
- 2008 – Neutrophil activity, COPD and Der p1
- The foetus, dust mites and a naughty asthma gene
- 2010 – Review of asthma research, including Adam33
- 2010 – Active allergy to house dust mites makes asthma/COPD worse
- 1990 – Doctors describe a link between mite exposure, childhood asthma and a specific gene
‘The soluble form of ADAM33 promotes angiogenesis: implications for airway remodeling in asthma’, Holgate ST, Davies DE, Powell RM, Holloway JW: J. Allergy & Clin. Immuno., 2008, 121(6):1400-1406.
In very damp conditions the fungi will act as a poison.
