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Version 1.0. Last Updated: April 24,2026

Web-Enabled Systems Architecture of Asthma

Supplementary Information To A Molecular Systems Architecture of Asthma

A. Shiva Ayyadurai1,2*, Prabhakar Deonikar1,2 and Yamuna Manoharan1,2

1Systems Biology Group, CytoSolve Research Division, CytoSolve, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA

2Open Science Institute, International Center for Integrative Systems, Cambridge, MA, USA

Summary

This systematic review introduces a comprehensive molecular systems architecture of asthma, utilizing the CytoSolve platform to integrate decades of research into a multi-layered framework. Moving beyond traditional reductionist methods, the study maps complex interactions across thirty-one cell types and twenty-five molecular pathways. The architecture is organized into four functional layers: Triggers (genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors), Anatomical Components (pulmonary, immune, and neuronal cells), Molecular Pathways, and Biological Processes. These layers converge to drive the three hallmarks of asthma: airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, and structural remodeling.

A significant contribution of this research is the elucidation of the neuro-immune axis, illustrating how psychological stress—such as anxiety and depression—directly exacerbates asthma. The study details bidirectional brain-lung crosstalk occurring through humoral and neural pathways. For example, pulmonary eosinophils can release mediators that cross the blood-brain barrier to trigger neuroinflammation, while stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic reflexes, leading to increased mucus secretion and bronchoconstriction.

The architecture identifies thirty-two candidate molecular targets, including IL-33, EGFR, and sGC, which serve as a roadmap for drug discovery. By providing a systems-level visual map and a detailed interactome, the framework sets the stage for future computational modeling. These predictive models aim to identify personalized combination therapies and optimal dosages, potentially leading to more effective treatments for diverse asthma endotypes while minimizing adverse side effects. This holistic approach offers a new paradigm for understanding and managing the heterogeneous nature of asthma.

TLR Signaling

TNF-α Signaling

IL-33 Signaling

IL-12-IFNγ Signaling

IL-6-TGF-β-IL-17 Signaling-2C

IL-6-TGF-β-IL-17 Signaling-2D

TGF-β-IL-2 Signaling

TGF-β Signaling

IL-13-IL-17 Signaling

MMP-9 Signaling

IL-13 Signaling

Epinephrine Signaling

IL-33/IL-4 Signaling