Activation status of airway immune cells is a defining feature of severe asthma, regardless of fungal sensitisation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Airborne fungi are potent inducers of respiratory disease and cause the debilitating conditions severe asthma with fungal sensitisation (SAFS) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). However, the immune cell types and the inflammatory airway environment that defines SAFS and ABPA patients is not extensively characterised. To address this, we recruited SAFS and ABPA patients, asthmatics without evidence of fungal sensitisation and healthy controls (n= 20 individuals per group). Immune cells were isolated from collected sputum and peripheral blood samples and immunophenotyping was performed via flow cytometry. By applying a machine learning approach to our dataset, we identify a critical association between CD4 + T cells, type 2 conventional dendritic cells, eosinophils, proinflammatory factors and severe respiratory disease. These complex immune signatures should be investigated further to improve the diagnostics and treatment of SAFS and ABPA. Graphical abstract
Source: Mucosal Immunology
Institutions: University of Exeter, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Manchester, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, University of Cape Town, Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,370
Funders: National Institute on Handicapped Research, Wellcome Trust, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Department of Health and Social Care, Academy of Medical Sciences, University of Exeter, University of Manchester, Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, Medical Research Council, NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility
Awards: G1115001388, G1620553015, G1666550810, Governance of anti-fungal immunity by the pulmonary tissue environment, Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology Studentships, G2331325115, MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, G3293496206, Governance of anti-fungal immunity by the pulmonary tissue environment, G4977656371, G5948143595, G6038702864, G669361101, Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, G8310141513
OpenAlex ID: W4416426657