Asthma
What is asthma?
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the airways – small tubes that take air in and out of the lungs. People with asthma are highly sensitive to contact with irritants such as dust, animal fur, pollen or cold: these can cause their airways become inflamed and narrow and the muscles around them to tighten. As a result, it becomes hard to breathe and the person suffers wheezing, coughing and a tight feeling in their chest. Sometimes phlegm or mucus is also produced in the inflamed airways, which can make it even harder to breathe.
In the UK around one in five children and one in six adults suffer from asthma. Although the severity of the condition varies greatly, many people need to use steroid inhalers every day to keep it under control. However, not all sufferers respond to steroid treatment.
Medical scientists do not yet understand exactly what causes asthma – but it seems to be partly due to allergy and partly due to genetics. Many asthmatics also have the allergic conditions hay fever and eczema, and all three conditions often run in families.
A snapshot of MRC research into asthma
MRC-funded scientists are currently working on a number of studies into finding out more about the causes of and treatments for asthma. For instance:
- Proteins called immunoglobulins play a role in allergic disease and asthma: interactions between immunoglobulin E (IgE) and the molecules it binds to are particularly important. Professor Brian Sutton of King’s College London is studying the structure of IgE when it is bound to these proteins using a variety of structural biology techniques. He hopes that gaining an understanding of the molecular details of these protein interactions will help scientists to design and screen for new drugs to treat allergies and asthma.
- Also at King’s College London, Professor Tak Lee is studying the molecular regulation of genes for a number of proteins called cytokines that cause inflammation in asthma.
- Meanwhile, Professor Stephen Holgate of Southampton University is researching the role of a gene called ADAM33 that is linked to susceptibility to developing asthma.
Useful Links
Asthma UK A UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with asthma. Its website provides information about the disease, specific advice through its 'adviceline', details of research funding, and information about campaigns to influence policy related to asthma.
British Lung Foundation Provides support and information for people with a wide range of lung diseases.
British Thoracic Society A professional body made up of doctors, nurses, scientists and other professionals with an interest in respiratory medicine. It produces guidelines on the treatment of many lung diseases and works to promote education and understanding of respiratory disease.
BMJ Best Treatments: asthma Provides information about which treatments really work and which don't work, based on the best and most up-to-date medical research.
