Reconstruction is not renovation – the role of remodeling in asthma

Review

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Authors: Markus Weckmann¹, Thomas Trian¹, Brian GG Oliver

Published Date March 2009 Volume 2009:2 Pages 33 - 42

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JAA.S4016

Markus Weckmann¹, Thomas Trian¹, Brian GG Oliver

Department of Pharmacology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Camperdown, NSW-2050, Australia; Bosch Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

¹These authors contributed equally

Abstract: The chronicity of asthma results not only in persistent lung inflammation but also in changes in structure and composition of this vital organ. These changes are most commonly referred to as remodeling, and include epithelial dysplasia, angiogenesis, changes in the extracellular matrix and increased smooth muscle mass. In this review we summarize recent findings on the contribution of remodeling to the pathological phenotype of asthma. We discuss how and why current treatment (such as corticosteroids) options fail to adequately treat remodeling.

Keywords: asthma, remodeling, epithelium, vascular, smooth muscle