title: Contribution of vascular endothelial growth factor to airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in a murine model of toluene diisocyanate-induced asthma.
abstract: Isocyanate chemicals, including toluene diisocyanate (TDI), are currently the most common causes of occupational asthma. Although considerable controversy remains regarding its pathogenesis, TDI-induced asthma is characterized by hyperresponsiveness and inflammation of the airways. One of the histological hallmarks of inflammation is angiogenesis, but the possible role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic cytokine, in TDI-induced asthma is unknown. We developed a murine model to investigate TDI-induced asthma by performing two courses of sensitization with 3% TDI and one challenge with 1% TDI using ultrasonic nebulization to examine the potential involvement of VEGF in that disease. These mice develop the following typical pathophysiological features: airway hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation, and increased VEGF levels in the airway. Administration of VEGFR inhibitors reduced all these pathophysiological symptoms. These results suggest that VEGF is one of the major determinants of TDI-induced asthma and that the inhibition of VEGF may be a good therapeutic strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Chonju, South Korea. leeyc@moak.chonbuk.ac.kr
authors.forename: Yong C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yong-Geun
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Chang H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D007211:Indoles; D008222:Lymphokines; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; C416849:SU 5614; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor