EU researchers investigated a new approach to asthma. The basis of a new therapy would be to target molecules that bacteria produce when colonising the human respiratory tract.
The SP1 AND ASTHMA (A role for the immunomodulatory capsular polysaccharide Sp1 expressed by Streptococcus pneumoniae in the treatment of asthma) project looked into the unique molecular relationship between Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae with the host's immune system. These bacteria colonise the upper and lower respiratory tracts respectively.
Further information: Airway inflammation under attack