
How is Equine Asthma Linked To Immune Dysfunctions
Asthma is one of the most common health issues affecting horses of almost all breeds. Immunological dysfunctions have been found to play a key role in the development of equine asthma. The functional consequences of the abnormalities linked to the immune system could trigger inflammation and allergies due to which the risk of asthma increases substantially in horses.
Here is a brief discussion about how immunological dysfunctions are linked to equine asthma and the effective ways to overcome this condition.
The Impact of the Immune System on the Pathogenesis of Equine Asthma
Allergic Airway Inflammation
Several animal models that have studied the etiological, genetic, and immunopathological attributes leading to equine asthma have revealed the role of the immune system in the development of breathing dysfunctions. The experiments in which this condition is induced artificially have also helped in discovering biological, immunological, and molecular pathways that trigger allergic airway inflammation.
These studies have revealed that horses suffer from a condition similar to asthma called “heaves” that presents striking similarities with asthma in humans. Equine asthma is characterized by a reversible obstruction in the airway coupled with airway neutrophilic inflammation, and dominant Th2 immune responses. This suggests that the immune cells, like neutrophils, play a key role in the development of equine asthma.
Also, controlling chronic neutrophilic inflammation and its possible implications in the pulmonary allergic response is expected to provide significant relief from breathing difficulties to horses.
These studies have shown that equine asthma has several immunological, inflammatory, and tissue remodeling features suggesting the need to improve the immunity of horses in order to protect them against this condition.
Infectious and Non-Infectious Causes
The comparison of the current molecular and clinical asthma endotypes and phenotypes in humans and horses has revealed the role of infectious and non-infectious factors that could trigger the development of asthma in horses. These factors are directly and indirectly linked to immunological dysfunctions.
Cluster analyses of multiple asthma cohorts have also revealed groups having different ages of onset, lung functions, and concordance between the parameters of airway inflammation by symptom and sputum analysis. These studies indicate that there is a need to understand the role of the immune system in the development of equine asthma and eliminate infectious and non-infectious factors that could trigger the pathogenesis of this disease.
Neutrophilic Form of Asthma
Studies have shown that the severe form of equine asthma is usually neutrophilic in nature, although it may also involve the expression of T2 cytokines. There is also evidence to indicate that interleukin-17 is expressed in horses with asthma. Its effects on the neutrophil survival are found to be steroid-insensitive.
Severe equine asthma is often responsive to the treatment with steroids in spite of the presence of neutrophilic inflammation. These findings suggest the involvement of the immune system in the development of asthma in horses and the need to provide treatment aimed at regulating the functions of the immune system.
It is important for horse owners to recognize how equine asthma is linked to immunological dysfunctions and ensure their horses receive proper treatment to regulate the activities of the immune system. The use of immunity-balancing supplements like BioPro Armour is highly recommended to help restore healthy immune system functions in horses.
BioPro Armour is a 100% natural immunity-balancing supplement specifically formulated for supporting the immunity of horses and protecting them against diseases linked to immunological dysfunctions. This supplement is made from Thymic proteins that could regulate the immune response of horses to allergens and help them fight allergies, inflammation, and infections linked to equine asthma.
The regular use of this supplement could help to strengthen the immune system, minimize inflammation, and reduce the impact of infectious and non-infectious factors thus protecting your horses against asthma. BioPro Armour offers a safe and effective option for horses to protect them against the risk of severe forms of asthma and reduce the discomfort and complications linked to breathing difficulties.
References:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25547716/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7438831/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14700540/