House dust mite interactions with airway epithelium: role in allergic airway inflammation.

House dust mite (HDM) allergens are the most prevalent allergens associated with asthma and rhinitis around the world. The mechanisms of allergic sensitization and allergic airway inflammation after exposure to HDM have been studied extensively, but many questions remain unanswered. Airway epithelial cells are the first line of defense against external antigens and are considered an important player in the development of allergic airway inflammation. Both genetic susceptibility to allergic sensitization and HDM composition play decisive roles in the outcome of HDM-epithelium interactions, especially regarding airway epithelial dysfunction and allergic inflammation. Interactions between HDM and the airway epithelium have consequences for both development of allergy and asthma and development of allergic airway inflammation. This review will describe in detail these interactions and will identify issues that require more study.