Yale School of Medicine researchers have uncovered a new biomarker called YKL-40 that may help identify patients with the most serious form of asthma.
The research was done in collaboration with investigators in Wisconsin, France, and at MedImmune Inc.
Asthma
It''s a lung condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchi and constriction of the airways that result in coughing, wheezing or breathlessness. Allergy and other airway irritants can trigger it
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As a part of their study, the researchers evaluated serum levels of YKL-40 in 253 adults patients in three asthma and control groups at Yale, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Paris.
They conducted simple blood tests and found that patients with asthma had increased circulating serum levels of the protein YKL-40.
"The results demonstrate that YKL-40 is significantly elevated in severe asthma," said Geoffrey Chupp, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Yale and the lead author on the study.
![Pada Hasthasana]( "Pada Hasthasana")
Know all about Yoga Asanas For Asthmatics, the classic ancient system of India, and how it flourished under various civilizations
"Having a blood test to characterize asthmatics will be useful in pursuing asthma research and potentially in managing asthma."
Jack Elias, M.D., professor and chair of medicine, professor of immunobiology, and senior author of the study, said the findings are among the first to define a parameter for asthma that can be assessed with a blood test.
"This may allow us to identify a subpopulation of patients with severe asthma and give us insights into the biologic processes that make the disease so severe in these individuals," Elias said.
"Our studies also have demonstrated that eliminating YKL-40 decreases specific types of tissue inflammation—which could be of particular benefit to asthmatic patients with an elevated level of this protein."
The scientists are now calling for research on the biology of YKL-40 to be incorporated into investigations on the pathogenesis of asthma, as well as additional studies needed to define the potential role of a YKL-40 blood test in asthma management.
The study appears in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Source: ANI
SRM/P
"The results demonstrate that YKL-40 is significantly elevated in severe asthma," said Geoffrey Chupp, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Yale and the lead author on the study.
Pada Hasthasana
Know all about Yoga Asanas For Asthmatics, the classic ancient system of India, and how it flourished under various civilizations
Advertisement
"Having a blood test to characterize asthmatics will be useful in pursuing asthma research and potentially in managing asthma."
Jack Elias, M.D., professor and chair of medicine, professor of immunobiology, and senior author of the study, said the findings are among the first to define a parameter for asthma that can be assessed with a blood test.
"This may allow us to identify a subpopulation of patients with severe asthma and give us insights into the biologic processes that make the disease so severe in these individuals," Elias said.
"Our studies also have demonstrated that eliminating YKL-40 decreases specific types of tissue inflammation—which could be of particular benefit to asthmatic patients with an elevated level of this protein."
The scientists are now calling for research on the biology of YKL-40 to be incorporated into investigations on the pathogenesis of asthma, as well as additional studies needed to define the potential role of a YKL-40 blood test in asthma management.
The study appears in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Source: ANI
SRM/P
Asthma Management - Animation
Metered Dose Inhalers(MDI), which delivers medictions directly to the lungs, can be most effectively used in the treatment of asthma.
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