Influence of aeroallergens on respiratory epithelial cells: a comparison of house dust mite and grass pollen allergens

Respiratory epithelial cells function as physical barrier and have shown to be active participants within the process of defense against pathogens and recognition of allergens. Upon activation they release inflammatory mediators thereby creating a micro environment in which recruited immunocompetent cells induce a local immune response. House dust mite (HDM) extract as a source of allergens has been shown to induce a broad panel of genes upon stimulation of epithelial cell line NCI-H292. The proteolytic activity of these HDM allergens has been proposed to be involved in the activation process. The aim of this st…