Development of allergic airway inflammation in early life – interaction of early viral infections and allergic sensitization

Airway inflammation is a key feature of upper and lower respiratory allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Characteristically, histological alterations such as goblet cell hyperplasia, mucus hypersecretion, loss of epithelial barrier function, airway infiltration and structural changes such as basal membrane thickening and airway smooth muscle hyperplasia. These inflammatory signs are often obvious already early in life and may be accompanied by structural changes (remodeling) occurring in early lifetime. This review focusses on the main mechanisms underlying the development of airway inflammation and remodeling and discusses the question which factors contribute to the persistence of airway inflammation in chronic allergic airway disease.