Table 1.
Key molecular factors contributing to airway remodeling (in particular—the factors that are aimed by currently available or investigated biological therapies of asthma).
| Factor | Key effect(S) on airway remodeling | References |
|---|---|---|
| IgE | 1. Indirect contribution—IgE stimulates production of cytokines involved in airway remodeling (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, TGFβ1, and other) during the late phase 2. Direct contribution—induction of ASM proliferation in vitro |
1. (25) 2. (26) |
| IL-4 | 1. Increased synthesis of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen III 2. Induction of TGF-β release by airway epithelial cells |
1. (27) 2. (28) |
| IL-5 | 1. Promotion of subepithelial and peribronchial fibrosis by eosinophil recruitment and subsequent production of TGFβ1 | 1. (29, 30) |
| IL-13 | 1. Induction of TGF-β release by airway epithelial cells 2. Changes in goblet cell density |
1. (28, 31) 2. (32) |
| IL-17 | 1. Promotion of ASMC migration 2. Increase of matrix metaloproteinases 3. Cross-talk with TGFβ1 resulting in EMT 4. Stimulation of inactive fibrocytes maturation to fibroblast, which deposit collagen within ECM |
1. (33) 2. (34) 3. (35) 4. (36) |
| TSLP | 1. Promotion of collagen deposition 2. Goblet cells hyperplasia 3. Local eosinophil recruitment in airway 4. Increase in type-I collagen and α-SMA expression in human lung fibroblasts |
1, 2, 3. (37) 4. (38) |