The Effect of Allergen Inhalation on Sputum Myeloid and Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Mild Atopic Asthmatics

A picture is emerging of dendritic cells migrating through the blood to the airways following allergen inhalation in atopic asthmatics. Although the Koh and McCarthy articles present novel findings, both do not provide a comprehensive view of sputum DCs following allergen challenge. Therefore, the proposed study will examine the kinetics of mDCs and pDCs in the induced sputum of atopic asthmatics following inhalation of allergen. Hypothesis: Following allergen challenge, sputum myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs will migrate into the airway lumen in atopic asthmatics during the timeframe of the late asthmatic response. Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the kinetics of dendritic cells in induced sputum following allergen challenge in atopic asthmatic subjects.