Doyen V, Gautrin D, Vandenplas O, Malo JL. Comparison of high- and low-molecular-weight sensitizing agents causing occupational asthma: an evidence-based insight.
Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024;
20:635-653. [PMID:
38235552 DOI:
10.1080/1744666x.2024.2306885]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The many substances used at the workplace that can cause sensitizer-induced occupational asthma are conventionally categorized into high-molecular-weight (HMW) agents and low-molecular-weight (LMW) agents, implying implicitly that these two categories of agents are associated with distinct phenotypic profiles and pathophysiological mechanisms.
AREAS COVERED
The authors conducted an evidence-based review of available data in order to identify the similarities and differences between HMW and LMW sensitizing agents.
EXPERT OPINION
Compared with LMW agents, HMW agents are associated with a few distinct clinical features (i.e. concomitant work-related rhinitis, incidence of immediate asthmatic reactions and increase in fractional exhaled nitric oxide upon exposure) and risk factors (i.e. atopy and smoking). However, some LMW agents may exhibit 'HMW-like' phenotypic characteristics, indicating that LMW agents are a heterogeneous group of agents and that pooling them into a single group may be misleading. Regardless of the presence of detectable specific IgE antibodies, both HMW and LMW agents are associated with a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response and a predominantly eosinophilic pattern of airway inflammation. Large-scale multicenter studies are needed that use objective diagnostic criteria and assessment of airway inflammatory biomarkers to identify the pathobiological pathways involved in OA caused by the various non-protein agents.
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