title: TRAIL in the airways.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) is an important immunomodulatory factor that may play a role in the structural changes observed in the asthmatic airways. In vitro as well as in vivo studies have evidenced a dual role for TRAIL: it can either function as a pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokine on inflammatory cells, participating in the initiation and resolution of inflammatory and immune responses. TRAIL is expressed in the airways by inflammatory cells infiltrated in the bronchial mucosa, as well as by structural cells of the airway wall including fibroblasts, epithelial, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells. By releasing TRAIL, these different cell types may then participate in the increased levels of TRAIL observed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from asthmatic patients. Taken together, this suggests that TRAIL may play a role in inflammation in asthma. However, concerning its role is dual in the modulation of inflammation, further studies are needed to elucidate the precise role of TRAIL in the airways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Noreen M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosemiller
authors.forename: Rochelle G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Lindemeyer
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steplewski
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Zangrilli
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Litwack
mesh_terms: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D001249:Asthma; D001808:Blood Vessels; D004848:Epithelium; D005347:Fibroblasts; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012137:Respiratory System; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C505653:TNFSF10 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha