Acute allergen-induced airway remodeling in atopic asthma

Phipps, S., Benyahia, F., Ou, T. T., Barkans, J., Robinson, D. S. and Kay, A. B. (2004) Acute allergen-induced airway remodeling in atopic asthma. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 31 6: 626-632.


Author Phipps, S.
Benyahia, F.
Ou, T. T.
Barkans, J.
Robinson, D. S.
Kay, A. B.
Title Acute allergen-induced airway remodeling in atopic asthma
Journal name American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2004-12
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1165/rcmb.2004-0193OC
Volume number 31
Issue number 6
ISSN 1044-1549
1535-4989
Start page 626
End page 632
Total pages 7
Place of publication New York, NY, United States
Publisher American Thoracic Society
Language eng
Abstract Studies in animals and in human atopic skin suggest that allergen challenge may activate acute tissue remodeling changes via transforming growth factor-β pathways. We determined whether inhalational allergen challenge in subjects with mild asthma induces similar acute changes to the airway epithelial mesenchymal trophic unit (EMTU). Endobronchial mucosal biopsies obtained before and 24 h after challenge were examined by confocal microscopy for extracellular matrix deposition in the reticular basement membrane (RBM). Cells actively involved in extracellular matrix synthesis were identified as immunoreactive to heat shock protein 47, a chaperone of collagen synthesis. Interleukin-4/13 and transforming growth factor-β-activated cells were identified by specific antibodies to phosphorylated (phospho-) signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 and phospho-Smad2, respectively. After allergen challenge, there was a significant increase in the number of heat shock protein 47-positive airway fibroblasts (P = 0.003) and in the thickness of tenascin in the RBM (P = 0.031). There were also increases in the number of phospho-Smad2+ epithelial cells (P = 0.04) and nuclear phospho-Smad2+ fibroblasts (P = 0.03), as well as phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 6+ epithelial cells (P = 0.03), after allergen challenge. Thus, allergen challenge in patients with mild asthma induces activation of epithelial cells and fibroblasts in the EMTU as well as increased tenascin deposition within the RBM. Airway remodeling in asthma may, in part, result from repeated acute activation of the EMTU by allergen exposure.
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Non-UQ

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collection: School of Biomedical Sciences Publications
 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Citation counts: TR Web of Science Citation Count  Cited 71 times in Thomson Reuters Web of Science Article | Citations
Scopus Citation Count Cited 78 times in Scopus Article | Citations
Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Access Statistics: 15 Abstract Views  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Wed, 09 Mar 2011, 14:30:42 EST