Meet the editor

Prof Celso Pereira, MD, PhD, is head-chief of the Clinical Immunology Unit and Clinical Herbal Medicine at the Medicine Faculty of Coimbra University, Portugal. He is a specialist in Immuno-Allergy at Coimbra University's Hospital Centre. He was the past president of the Immuno-Allergy Board of the Portuguese Medical Association. His main activities include clinical practice, education (pre- and post-graduate), and clinical and laboratory

research. He is a member of a national committee for vaccination and coordinator of some clinical guidelines approved and under application by Portuguese health authorities. He is also a member of a national committee for diagnostic procedures in the field of allergy and clinical immunology. Dr. Pereira's scientific interests include research in the mechanisms of respiratory allergy, specific immunotherapy, and medicinal herbs.

Contents

*by Wenchao Tang*

Endothelial Cells in Asthma

Eosinophilic Asthma

*by Andrew Reichard and Kewal Asosingh*

*by Mirjana Turkalj and Ivana Banic*

*by Poonam Arora and S.H. Ansari*

*by Xiaoyan Dong and Nanbert Zhong*

*by Marzie Zilaee and Seyed Ahmad Hosseini*

*by Joy N. Eze and Samuel N. Uwaezuoke*

Clinical Applications of Impulse Oscillometry *by Constantine Saadeh and Nicole Davey-Ranasinghe*

Role of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells in Asthma Pathology

The Role of Platelets in Allergic Inflammation and Asthma

Role of Various Mediators in Inflammation of Asthmatic Airways

Pathogenic Roles of MicroRNA in the Development of Asthma

*by Bushra Mubarak, Huma Shakoor and Fozia Masood*

Nutritional Recommendations in Asthmatic Patients

**Preface III**

**Chapter 1 1**

**Chapter 2 11**

**Chapter 3 25**

**Chapter 4 43**

**Chapter 5 61**

**Chapter 6 73**

**Chapter 7 95**

**Chapter 8 109**

**Chapter 9 123**

Childhood and Adult Asthma: Phenotype- and Endotype-Based Biomarkers

## Contents


Preface

The clinical expression of asthma in its many phenotypes and endotypes is based on multiple and diversified pathogenic mechanisms. Although in the inflammatory

process there may be a predominance of some cell lines with very peculiar biological characteristics, there is always a complex and intricate participation of all the elements of the adaptive and innate immune system. Likewise all the resident and structural cells present in the bronchi are active vectors in the chronic

Successive genome-wide association studies have proven the polygenic profile of asthma by identifying the complex and extensive networks of critical cellular mediators engaged in local bronchial mucosa as well as regional and systemic inflammation. In this context, a profound knowledge of cell biology is crucial, because it can allow to define a specific pathophysiological way for each clinical

Even though much of the research is currently directed towards new biologics aimed at severe asthma patients, fortunately in clinical practice the overwhelming majority of asthmatics have more favorable treatment options. However, like other chronic inflammatory disorders deficient control is very common in clinical practice, also allying difficulties in adhesion and compliance to a long-lasting

This book exhaustively and didactically covers the biological expression of numerous cells and mediators involved in bronchial inflammation. The authors provide robust information identifying the diversity and complexity of the interrelationships between the different players, drawing attention to critical

These reviews show the impossibility of standardizing the therapeutic plan for asthma due mainly to the heterogeneity of pathophysiological mechanisms corresponding to different clinical profiles. Asthma, although prevalent in all age groups, is a diverse condition. While in most patients the currently available treatments (different anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators) can help control asthma, they have no effect on other pathways of chronic inflammation, namely those leading to structural changes and remodeling. It is clear that the available biological treatments and others currently in pharmacological trials are

This update on the biological aspects of cells and mediators involved in asthma will hopefully open up new lines of research that may lead to new therapeutic approaches to optimize the control of inflammation and other symptoms as well as lung function and patient quality of life. Furthermore, this book highlights the use of new diagnostic procedures in order to identify different asthma biomarkers with high specificity and sensitivity for each predominant pathophysiological

clearly insufficient to effectively halt and control inflammation.

inflammation, as are the contiguous extracellular matrix proteins.

phenotype/endotype that may guide to a personalized therapy.

treatment plan.

mechanisms in asthma.
