Pediatric Unit, Division of Pulmonology, Allergy, and Immunology, AOU Policlinico-Giovanni XXIII, I-70100 Bari, Italy.
Allergy Asthma Proc. 2013 Mar-Apr;34(2):143-9. doi: 10.2500/aap.2013.34.3631.
The pathophysiology of asthma is complex and involves a number of factors including atopy and bronchial hyperreactivity. A strong body of evidence suggests that structural and functional respiratory epithelial alterations play a crucial role in both development and persistence of this condition. From the onset of symptoms the airways epithelium of asthmatic patients seems to be altered and unable to repair. The interactions between the epithelium and the underlying mesenchyma, which are jointly referred to as the epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit (EMTU), are thought to result in a self-sustaining damage of the airways and, ultimately, in a chronic inflammatory scenario. A better understanding of the relationship occurring across EMTU, environmental noxae, and factors of susceptibility to epithelial damage is likely to pave the way to future new preventive and therapeutic strategies for this condition.
哮喘的病理生理学较为复杂，涉及多种因素，包括特应性和支气管高反应性。大量证据表明，结构和功能呼吸上皮的改变在该疾病的发生和持续中起着至关重要的作用。从症状开始，哮喘患者的气道上皮似乎就发生了改变，且无法修复。上皮和下面的间充质之间的相互作用，通常被称为上皮-间充质营养单位（EMTU），被认为会导致气道的持续损伤，并最终导致慢性炎症。更好地了解 EMTU、环境有害因素和上皮损伤易感性之间的关系，可能为该疾病的未来新的预防和治疗策略铺平道路。
