Asthma in older patients

Asthma morbidity and mortality is highest in patients >65 years old, and underlying airway inflammation in this age group has not been characterized. In this laboratory, we have studied a model of asthma in aged mice and have investigated whether age alters modulation of airway inflammation. Presently, the laboratory is translating these studies to evaluate clinical characteristics of asthma in older patients and markers of inflammation in the airways of these patients. This knowledge will help to direct age-specific anti-inflammatory asthma therapy.

Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)

HAE is a rare disease which affects approximately 4,000 people in the US. Its symptoms include swelling of the face, airway, extremities and abdomen. If swelling involves the airways, it can be life-threatening. Our group has been involved in several clinical trials for new medications to treat HAE. In addition, the laboratory is presently studying mechanisms by whichestrogen can exacerbate HAE.

Selected publications

Zuraw BL, Banerji A, Bernstein JA, Busse PJ, Christiansn SC, Davis-Lorton M, Frank MM, Li HH, Lumry WR, Riedl M. US Hereditary Angioedema Association Medical Advisory Board 2013 Recommendation for the management of Hereditary Angioedema due to C1 Inhibitor deficiency. J Allergy and Clin Immunol: In Practice 2013; 1 (6): 458-467.

Birmingham JM, Patil S, Li XM, Busse PJ. The effect of oral tolerance on the allergic airway response in young and aged mice. J Asthma 2013: 50 (2): 122-32.

Busse PJ, Cohn RD, Salo PM, Zeldin DL. Characteristics of allergic sensitization among adult asthmatics >55 years: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2013; 110 (4) 247-52.

Riedl MA, Hurewitz DS, Levy R, Busse PJ, Fitts D, Kalfus I. Nanofiltered C1 esterase inhibitor (human) for the treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema: an open-label trial. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2012; 108: 49-53.

Busse PJ, Lurshurchadia L, Sampson H, Halm EA, Wisnivesky J. Perennial allergen-specific immunoglobulin E levels among inner-city elderly asthmatics. J Asthma 2010; 47 (7): 781-5.

Zuraw BL, Busse PJ, White M, et al. Nanofiltered C1 Inhibitor Concentrate for treatment of hereditary angioedema. NEJM 2010; 363 (6): 513-22.

Busse PJ, Schofield B, Birmingham N, Yang N, Wen MC, Zhang T, Srivastava K, Li XM. The traditional Chinese Herbal Formula, ASHMI, inhibits allergic lung inflammation in antigen-sensitized and antigen-challenged aged mice. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2010; 104 (3): 236-246.

Busse PJ, Zhang TF, Schofield B, Kilaru K, Patil S, Li XM. Decrease in airway mucous gene expression caused by treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha in a murine model of allergic asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2009; 103 (4): 295-303.

Busse PJ, Zhang, TF, Srivastava K, Schofield B, Li XM. Effect of ageing on pulmonary inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness and T and B cell responses in antigen-sensitized and -challenged mice. Clin Exp Allergy 2007; 37 (9): 1392-1403.

Clinical trials

Anti IL-5 (Mepolizumab) treatment in hypereosinophilic syndrome

Consulting

CSL Behring, Viropharma/Shire, Dyax Corp, Gerson Lehrman Group

Leadership, Faculty & Staff

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