Tissue and BAL based biomarkers in asthma

Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2007 Nov;27(4):623-32; vi. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2007.09.003.

Abstract

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with multiple phenotypes. There are no tissue or bronchoalveolar lavage biomarkers that are "specific" for asthma. Markers associated with eosinophilic, neutrophilic, and paucigranulocytic asthma are discussed here, and those for remodeling. Efforts are to compare tissue and lavage biomarkers with less invasive measures, such as sputum, serum, or exhaled breath, to improve the treatment and management of asthma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / diagnosis*
  • Biomarkers
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid* / chemistry
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid* / cytology
  • Eosinophilia / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-5 / analysis
  • Interleukin-8 / analysis
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / analysis

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Interleukin-5
  • Interleukin-8
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9