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Acute inflammatory response in asthma

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The acute inflammatory response is characterised by bronchoconstriction and airways oedema. This process begins within minutes of allergen exposure and resolves within hours.

Cross-linking of mast cell-bound IgE by allergen results in degranulation and the release of:

  • histamine:
    • causes increased blood flow and vascular permeability

  • proteases:
    • promote tissue degradation

  • tissue necrosis factor:
    • activates endothelial cells and promotes migration of inflammatory cells

  • platelet activating factor and leukotrienes:
    • promote smooth muscle contraction and mucus secretion

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