AMCase is itself a recent discovery. It is only the second human chitinase discovered (the first being chitotriosidase). AMCase is primarily located in the gastrointestinal tract but also to a lesser extent in the lungs.
In the asthma link discovery, it was found that if AMCase is blocked with an antibody or if an inhibitor is used to prevent it from breaking down chitin, asthma-like inflammation was decreased. Using mice in their study, the research team noted that since chitin is not present in mouse-models, the enzyme must be acting on something else. It is unclear what that might be. The team did find, though, that AMCase is present in the lungs of asthmatics, but not in their controls.
Another potential link was noted. Interleukin-13 and interleukin-4 are proteins both well known to be important in asthmatic inflammation.
Interleukin-13 is required for increased production of AMCase. Asthmatic inflammation is driven by T helper-2 cells (a type of white blood cell). It was found that blocking AMCase inhibits asthmatic inflammation without deactivating the T helper-2 lymphocytes. This suggests that the therapy may be able to aid in asthmatic inflammation but still leave the body able to fight other infections.
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For anybody interested in how to relieve the stress and tightness of asthma, Paul Sovino (yes, the actor) has a book out called “How to Become a Former Asthmatic”. You might say that exercising and how you breathe don’t mean squat when you’re in the middle of an attack, but I’m telling you from personal experience that it does.
I’m not putting down the shots or the inhalers (well… yes, I am). I’m just saying that anybody who would depend on medicines rather than take steps to at least try the steps Sorvino details has little sympathy from me.
jon