Development of an inhaled endotoxin challenge protocol for characterizing evoked cell surface phenotype and genomic responses of airway cells in allergic individuals

Low-dose inhaled endotoxin challenge is safe in allergic individuals with mild to moderate disease. It enhances airway cell surface phenotypes and expression of genes associated with antigen presentation, innate immunity, and inflammation. Microarray with ingenuity pathway analysis can be successfully applied to sputum cells to characterize genetic responses to inhaled exacerbants.