Publications by authors named "R G Barbers"

Article Synopsis
  • Group-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) are key players in the development and worsening of allergic asthma, influenced by various regulatory molecules.
  • This study focuses on the suppressor molecule SIRPα, which, when activated by CD47, helps control ILC2 activity, reducing their proliferation and functions that exacerbate airway hyperreactivity (AHR).
  • The researchers found that lacking SIRPα leads to heightened ILC2 activity, but targeting the SIRPα-CD47 interaction could serve as a potential treatment strategy for managing allergic asthma by regulating inflammation and cytokine production.
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Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) rapidly induce a type 2 inflammation in the lungs in response to allergens. Here, we focused on the role of iron, a critical nutritional trace element, on ILC2 function and asthma pathogenesis. We found that transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) is rapidly up-regulated and functional during ILC2 activation in the lungs, and blocking transferrin uptake reduces ILC2 expansion and activation.

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Background: Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) play a pivotal role in type 2 asthma. CD226 is a costimulatory molecule involved in various inflammatory diseases.

Objective: We aimed to investigate CD226 expression and function within human and mouse ILC2s, and to assess the impact of targeting CD226 on ILC2-mediated airway hyperreactivity (AHR).

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Rationale: Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) reduces severity and frequency of bronchoconstriction and symptoms in severe, persistent asthmatics although it is usually not associated with change in spirometric variables. Other than spirometry. there are almost no data on changes in lung mechanics following BT.

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Background: Bronchial thermoplasty is an endoscopic treatment for uncontrolled asthma. Previous randomised clinical trials have shown that bronchial thermoplasty reduces severe exacerbations in people with asthma. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of bronchial thermoplasty beyond 5 years is unknown.

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