title: Putting the Squeeze on Airway Epithelia.
abstract: Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and progressive airway remodeling. The airway epithelium is known to play a critical role in the initiation and perpetuation of these processes. Here, we review how excessive epithelial stress generated by bronchoconstriction is sufficient to induce airway remodeling, even in the absence of inflammatory cells.
authors.affiliation: Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachussetts.
authors.forename: Jin-Ah
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachussetts.
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Fredberg
authors.affiliation: Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachussetts jdrazen@nejm.org.
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Drazen
mesh_terms: D056151:Airway Remodeling; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016084:Bronchoconstriction; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D011312:Pressure; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical