Scientists peek at the airways of asthma patients

A 3D MODEL SHOWS AIRWAY SENSORY NERVRES IN GREEN. (M.G. DRAKE ET. AL / SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE)

Scientists have captured new clues about how nerves in the airway might be remodeled in some asthma patients. Eosinophils — a kind of immune cell that can be harmful in high amounts — are found in the airways of some asthma patients. To see how they might impact the airway, scientists took bronchial biopsies from patents with mild, moderate, and no asthma and then analyzed the nerve structure in their airways. In patients with moderate asthma, there were more nerves in the airway and those nerves were longer. And in a mouse model, elevated eosinophil levels triggered the airways to constrict, among other issues. The scientists say there’s a need for more research to understand the mechanisms at play.