ADAM8: a new therapeutic target for asthma.
BACKGROUND
A proteinase with a disintegrin and a metalloproteinase domain-8 (ADAM8) has been linked to asthma.


OBJECTIVE
To explore whether ADAM8 is a therapeutic target for asthma.


METHODS
We reviewed literature on ADAM8's function and expression and activities in lungs of humans and mice with allergic airway inflammation (AAI). We used these data to generate hypotheses about the contributions of ADAM8 to asthma pathogenesis.


CONCLUSIONS
ADAM8 levels are increased in airway epithelium and airway inflammatory cells in mice with AAI and human asthma patients. Data from murine models of AAI indicate that ADAM8 dampens airway inflammation. It is not clear whether ADAM8 contributes directly to structural remodeling in asthmatic airways. Additional studies are required to validate ADAM8 as a therapeutic target for asthma.
Knolle
Martin D
MD
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, 905 Thorn Building, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Owen
Caroline A
CA
D051722:ADAM Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015703:Antigens, CD; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D008168:Lung / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011657:Pulmonary Eosinophilia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D015703:Antigens, CD; D016207:Cytokines; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051722:ADAM Proteins; C068490:ADAM8 protein, human; C489402:Adam8 protein, mouse