Rho-kinase as a drug target for the treatment of airway hyperrespon-siveness in asthma.
In asthma, inflammatory and structural cells contribute to increased bronchoconstriction acutely and more chronically to airway remodelling. Current asthma therapy doesn't inhibit these features satisfactorily. This review discusses Rho-kinase as a potential drug target, since increasing evidence suggests a central role for this pathway in acute and chronic airway hyperresponsiveness.
Gosens
Reinoud
R
Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands. rgosens@mich.ca
Schaafsma
Dedmer
D
Nelemans
S Adriaan
SA
Halayko
Andrew J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D001980:Bronchi / Q000378:metabolism*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein