Asthma Research: Borstel study selected as “Editors Pick” by Allergy

30.01.2026

A study by the Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center (FZB) on the role of interleukin (IL 6) in severe asthma exacerbations following viral infections has been selected as recommended reading by the editors of the journal Allergy. The publication is highlighted in the current January The publication is highlighted in the current January issue and is thus receiving special attention in the professional community: Recommendations from the editorial team are published in the EAACI newsletter, on the social media channels of Allergy, and on the journal's website.

Scientists from the Borstel research groups “Epigenetics of Chronic Lung Diseases” led by Prof. Markus Weckmann and “Lung Immunology” led by PD Michael Wegmann were able to jointly identify a key factor for acute asthma exacerbations in this study. In mouse models and laboratory tests with human airway epithelial cells, it was shown that IL-6 plays a central role in the development of exacerbations: the higher the IL-6 production, the more severe the disease. If IL-6 is absent or its effect is blocked, the animals are protected from exacerbation.

In addition, the researchers were able to identify epigenetic patterns in the IL6 gene that “train” the cells to produce more IL-6. These patterns correlate with asthma patients who are at high risk of exacerbations and require emergency medication. The results thus open up new possibilities for identifying patients at increased risk who may also benefit from antibody-based anti-IL-6 therapy.

Further Information:

Publication: :
Lunding, L. P., Weckmann, M., Zissler, U. M., Jakwerth, C. A., Bodenstein-Sgró, R., Webering, S., Vock, C., Ehlers, J. C., Fernandez Ceballos, R. A. M., Nemani, S. S. P., Reddy, K. D., Oliver, B., Vermeulen, C., Van den Berge, M., Ober, C., Künstner, A., Busch, H., König, I., Garbers, C., Schmidt-Weber, C., Nold-Petry, C. A., Bahmer, T., Heyckendorf, J., Hansen, G., von Mutius, E., Rabe, K., Dittrich, A., Schaub, B., Brinkmann, F., Kopp, M., & Wegmann, M. (2025). Immune training of the interleukin-6 gene in airway epithelial cells is central to asthma exacerbations. Allergy. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.70070
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