title: Tissue remodelling in upper airways: where is the link with lower airway remodelling?
abstract: Tissue remodelling reported in upper airways include epithelial hyperplasia, increased matrix deposition in the nasal or paranasal lining, matrix degradation and accumulation of plasma proteins. Genetic influences, foetal exposures and early life events may contribute to structural changes such as subepithelial fibrosis from an early age. Other structural alterations are related to duration of the disease and long-term uncontrolled inflammation. Structural changes may increase alteration of the protective functions of the upper airways namely by affecting mucociliary clearance and conditioning of inspired air. The sequences of tissue changes during wound repair of upper airway mucosa after surgery are illustrative of the complexicity of tissue modelling and remodelling and could be considered as an important source of information for a better understanding of the complex relationship between inflammatory reaction, of the subsequent tissue damages and fibroblast metabolism of upper airways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: J-B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Watelet
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Van Zele
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gjomarkaj
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Canonica
authors.forename: S-E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Dahlen
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fokkens
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Scadding
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mullol
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonini
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Cauwenberge
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bousquet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001980:Bronchi / Q000502:physiology; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000601:surgery; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000473:pathology; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D015777:Eicosanoids