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Respiratory infection- and asthma-prone, low vaccine responder children demonstrate distinct mononuclear cell DNA methylation pathwaysnfants with frequent viral and bacterial respiratory infections exhibit compromised immunity to routine immunizations. They are also more likely to develop chronic respiratory diseases in later childhood. This study investigated the feasibility of epigenetic profiling to reveal endotype-specific molecular pathways with potential for early identification and immuno-modulation.
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ACE2 expression is elevated in airway epithelial cells from older and male healthy individuals but reduced in asthmaCOVID-19 is complicated by acute lung injury, and death in some individuals. It is caused by SARS-CoV-2 that requires the ACE2 receptor and serine proteases to enter AEC. We determined what factors are associated with ACE2 expression particularly in patients with asthma and COPD. We obtained lower AEC from 145 people from two independent cohorts, aged 2-89 years, Newcastle (n = 115) and Perth (n = 30), Australia. The Newcastle cohort was enriched with people with asthma (n = 37) and COPD (n = 38). Gene expression for ACE2 and other genes potentially associated with SARS-CoV-2 cell entry was assessed by qPCR, and protein expression was confirmed with immunohistochemistry on endobronchial biopsies and cultured AEC.
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Childhood vaccination and allergy: A systematic review and meta-analysisAs the rise in prevalence of allergic diseases worldwide corresponds in time with increasing infant vaccination, it has been hypothesized that childhood vaccination may increase the risk of allergic disease. We aimed to synthesize the literature on the association between childhood vaccination and allergy.
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The genetic and epigenetic landscapes of the epithelium in asthmaGenetic factors in airway epithelial cells that are functionally associated with asthma pathogenesis
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Novel drug targets for asthma and COPD: Lessons learned from in vitro and in vivo modelsThis paper is a review of potential novel therapeutic targets or tools for the treatment of asthma and COPD.
Research
Developments in the field of allergy in 2014 through the eyes of Clinical and Experimental AllergyThe pathogenesis of asthma continues to be a major topic of interest to our authors with reviews and original papers on the role of viruses, mechanisms of...
News & Events
Asthma steroid without side effectsWestern Australia has joined a major international study that could significantly change the treatment of asthma in children.
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Lung problems continue into childhood for premmie babiesNew research from Perth’s The Kids Research Institute Australia shows that babies born premature continue to have lung problems well into childhood.
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Vitamin D deficiency linked to childhood asthmaResearchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia have found children with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to develop asthma.
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Video: Asthma, how serious is it?Australia has one of the highest burdens of asthma in the world. In this video, two Perth families share their story of raising children with the respiratory co