Endotypes of occupational asthma

Abstract

Purpose of review To describe recent findings in endotyping occupational asthma by addressing the role of specific biomarkers. Recent findings Studies on occupational asthma endotypes have focused on immune and inflammatory patterns associated with different occupational exposures to sensitizers or irritants. Sputum neutrophilia has been found in 58.5% patients with occupational asthma caused by high molecular weight (HMW) agents, and work-related dysphonia in patients with occupational asthma was described as associated with sputum neutrophilia too. Neutrophils have been associated also with irritant-induced asthma. The measurement of specific IgE has been confirmed as a valuable diagnostic tool in occupational asthma caused by HMW agents, on the contrary, for most low-molecular-weight agents, the presence of specific IgE has been proven in a small subset of affected workers. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide has been confirmed as a marker of type 2 (T2) inflammation in occupational asthma, mostly when induced by HMW agents (e.g. flour), and it has proved to be more sensitive than spirometry in measuring the efficacy of an intervention. MicroRNA-155 has been shown to contribute to airway inflammation in occupational asthma induced by toluene diisocyanate. Summary Occupational asthma is heterogeneous, thus monitoring multiple biomarkers is crucial to understand, which inflammatory responses are prevalent.