Regulation of inflammation by airway smooth muscle

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2008 May;8(3):262-8. doi: 10.1007/s11882-008-0043-5.

Abstract

Inflammatory mediators play a critical role in the pathogenesis of chronic airway diseases and facilitate the recruitment, activation, and trafficking of inflammatory cells in the airways. Compelling evidence now shows that airway smooth muscle expresses adhesion molecules and secretes inflammatory mediators. Airway myocytes also express a repertoire of immunomodulatory proteins such as Toll-like receptors, chemokines, and cytokines. The underlying mechanisms by which these molecules modulate airway inflammation and the physiological consequences of these molecules are now being elucidated, suggesting that airway smooth muscle plays an important role in orchestrating and perpetuating airway inflammation, remodeling, and fibrosis in chronic airway diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / etiology*
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Bronchi / drug effects
  • Bronchi / physiology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / physiology
  • Chemokines / physiology
  • Glucocorticoids / pharmacology
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Histone Deacetylases / physiology
  • Humans
  • Muscle, Smooth / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth / physiology*
  • Toll-Like Receptors / physiology
  • Trachea / drug effects
  • Trachea / physiology*

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Chemokines
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Histone Deacetylases