Airway modeling and remodeling in the pathogenesis of asthma.
OBJECTIVE
Asthma remains a severe health problem since current therapies are directed to suppressing, rather than preventing or reversing, the primary disease process. Clearly, a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of asthma is critical to the development of better therapeutic modalities. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in research targeting the role of airway remodeling in asthma.


RESULTS
Epithelial fragility and abnormalities are being recognized as important facets of asthma, as are other features of remodeling such as angiogenesis, goblet cell hyperplasia and thickened lamina reticularis. Significantly, these anomalies occur early in disease pathogenesis. However, their impact on disease severity remains unclear.


CONCLUSIONS
Although an altered immune response is undoubtedly important to the pathogenesis of asthma, there is increasing evidence that the tissue-specific manifestations occur independently of inflammation and significantly impact on disease development and severity.
Warner
Stephanie M
SM
James Hogg iCAPTURE Centre for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research, Faculty of Medicine, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Knight
Darryl A
DA
D051722:ADAM Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000276:immunology; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D051379:Mice; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D051178:alpha Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D018757:GABA Modulators; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D051178:alpha Catenin; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D051722:ADAM Proteins; C450441:ADAM33 protein, human