Persistent activation of interlinked Th2-airway epithelial gene networks in sputum-derived cells from aeroallergen-sensitized symptomatic atopic asthmatics

Asthma and wheeze are heterogeneous inflammatory conditions that are strongly associated with sensitization to perennial inhalant allergens, however, the underlying mechanism(s) are incompletely understood. We hypothesized that natural allergen exposure could be leveraged to reveal the underlying inflammatory mechanisms via comparative profiling of the sputum transcriptome at baseline in symptomatic/asymptomatic mite sensitized subjects undergoing normal domestic exposure. The project aims to identify gene networks in sputum that discriminate between wheezers/non-wheezers amongst dust mite sensitized adults.