Ex Vivo Effect of Surfactant Protein D on Pulmonary Cells in Patients With Asthma and Pilot Study to Assess Local Inflammation Induced by Segmental Allergen Challenge by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Inclusion Criteria: * Able and willing to give written informed consent * Physician diagnosis of mild asthma according to GINA guidelines (1;7) * Nonsmokers with a history of less than 1 pack a year having been nonsmokers for at least the last five years * FEV1 80% of predicted * Positive skin prick test for grass mix or D. pteronyssinus at or within 12 months prior to the screening visit * Positive response to an incremental inhaled allergen challenge with house dust mite allergen or grass pollen allergen * Women will be considered for inclusion if they are: * Not pregnant, as confirmed by pregnancy test, and not nursing * Of non-child bearing potential (i.e. physiologically incapable of becoming pregnant, including any female who is pre-menarchial or post-menopausal, with documented proof of hysterectomy or tubal ligation, or meet clinical criteria for menopause and has been amenorrhoeic for more than 1 year prior to the screening visit)o of childbearing potential and using a highly effective method of contraception during the entire study (vasectomized partner, sexual abstinence * The lifestyle of the female should be such that there is complete abstinence from intercourse from two weeks prior to the study until at least 72 hours after the end of the study * Implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, hormonal IUDs, or double barrier methods (i.e. any double combination of IUD, condom with spermicidal gel,diaphragm, sponge, and cervical cap) Exclusion C…