Role of transforming growth factor-β in airway remodeling in asthma.
TGF-β is one of the main mediators involved in tissue remodeling in the asthmatic lung. This profibrotic cytokine is produced by a number of cells, including macrophages, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and eosinophils. High expression of TGF-β in patients with asthma was reported by many investigators. However, controversy remains whether the concentration of TGF-β correlates with disease severity. TGF-β is believed to play an important role in most of the cellular biological processes leading to airway remodeling. It was shown to be involved in epithelial changes, subepithelial fibrosis, airway smooth muscle remodeling, and microvascular changes. Here, sources of TGF-β, as well as its role in the development of airway remodeling, will be reviewed. Therapeutic strategies that modulate TGF-β will also be discussed.
Prince Naif Center for Immunology Research, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Rabih
R
Halwani
Saleh
S
Al-Muhsen
Hamdan
H
Al-Jahdali
Qutayba
Q
Hamid
D056151:Airway Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000502:physiology; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000502:physiology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology*
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta