Abstract
Mast cells, traditionally regarded as effector cells of the immune system, have more recently been demonstrated to be key figures in initiating, developing and sustaining complex pathophysiological processes underlying asthma and other allergic diseases. Asthma is characterised by airway inflammation alongside a disturbance to airway physiology manifesting as variable airflow obstruction and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). Evidence has emerged that mast cells influence airway function by forming close intercellular relationships with different structural components of the airway wall. In asthma, mast cells are seen to localise to the airway epithelium, to mucous glands and to the airway smooth muscle (ASM). It is mast cell-ASM interaction that is most fundamental to the asthma phenotype and many mast cell mediators have been demonstrated to have important effects on ASM function. In asthma, alongside the inflammatory and physiological changes, structural changes occur to the airway wall in the form of denudation of the epithelium, goblet cell and mucous gland hyperplasia, subepithelial fibrosis, abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, vascular proliferation and increased ASM mass. There are many ways in which mast cells can contribute to these structural changes through direct cell to cell communication and more indirectly through mediator release. Mast cells exhibit an array of diverse functions and roles and are fundamental to our current understanding of asthma pathogenesis including severe asthma. Novel targeting of mast cells and their mediators therefore should offer significant therapeutic potential in the treatment of asthma.
Keywords: pathophysiology, Asthma, mast cell, epithelium, mucous glands, airway smooth muscle, airway hyper-responsiveness, airway wall remodelling, subepithelial fibrosis, asthmatic response, chymase, carboxypeptidase, prostaglandin, tryptase, Antagonists, bronchoconstriction, disease, airway inflammatory, dendritic, non-fatal asthma, CXCR3, CXCL11
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: The Role of Mast Cells in the Structural Alterations of the Airways as a Potential Mechanism in the Pathogenesis of Severe Asthma
Volume: 17 Issue: 7
Author(s): R. J.F. Carter and P. Bradding
Affiliation:
Keywords: pathophysiology, Asthma, mast cell, epithelium, mucous glands, airway smooth muscle, airway hyper-responsiveness, airway wall remodelling, subepithelial fibrosis, asthmatic response, chymase, carboxypeptidase, prostaglandin, tryptase, Antagonists, bronchoconstriction, disease, airway inflammatory, dendritic, non-fatal asthma, CXCR3, CXCL11
Abstract: Mast cells, traditionally regarded as effector cells of the immune system, have more recently been demonstrated to be key figures in initiating, developing and sustaining complex pathophysiological processes underlying asthma and other allergic diseases. Asthma is characterised by airway inflammation alongside a disturbance to airway physiology manifesting as variable airflow obstruction and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). Evidence has emerged that mast cells influence airway function by forming close intercellular relationships with different structural components of the airway wall. In asthma, mast cells are seen to localise to the airway epithelium, to mucous glands and to the airway smooth muscle (ASM). It is mast cell-ASM interaction that is most fundamental to the asthma phenotype and many mast cell mediators have been demonstrated to have important effects on ASM function. In asthma, alongside the inflammatory and physiological changes, structural changes occur to the airway wall in the form of denudation of the epithelium, goblet cell and mucous gland hyperplasia, subepithelial fibrosis, abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, vascular proliferation and increased ASM mass. There are many ways in which mast cells can contribute to these structural changes through direct cell to cell communication and more indirectly through mediator release. Mast cells exhibit an array of diverse functions and roles and are fundamental to our current understanding of asthma pathogenesis including severe asthma. Novel targeting of mast cells and their mediators therefore should offer significant therapeutic potential in the treatment of asthma.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
J.F. Carter R. and Bradding P., The Role of Mast Cells in the Structural Alterations of the Airways as a Potential Mechanism in the Pathogenesis of Severe Asthma, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2011; 17 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161211795428975
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161211795428975 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Phytochemicals and Antioxidants: An Evaluation in Understanding the Human Lifeline
Current Nutrition & Food Science Plasma Proteins Interaction with Curcumin Nanoparticles: Implications in Cancer Therapeutics
Current Drug Metabolism Human Toxocara Infection: Allergy and Immune Responses
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Efficacy and Safety of Corticosteroids’ Administration for Pulmonary Immaturity in Anticipated Preterm Delivery
Current Pharmaceutical Design Antidiabetic Oils
Current Diabetes Reviews Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), an Endogenous Pulmotrophic Regulator, for the Rescue of Acute and Chronic Lung Diseases
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Anti-Inflammatory Activities of α2-Agonists
Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy Design and Development of Preservative Free Herbal Dosage Forms
The Natural Products Journal Gene Therapy and Targeted Toxins for Glioma
Current Gene Therapy From the Deepest Sea Shelf to the Uppermost Kitchen Cabinet Shelf: The Quest for Novel TNF-α Inhibitors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Lyn Regulates Cytotoxicity in Respiratory Epithelial Cells Challenged by Cigarette Smoke Extracts
Current Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Use of Drugs
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Carbonic Anhydrase Activation and the Drug Design
Current Pharmaceutical Design Intestinal Microbiota: A Regulator of Intestinal Inflammation and Cardiac Ischemia?
Current Drug Targets Potential Health Hazards for Cumulative Exposures to Phthalates and Ionizing Radiation in High-Risk Pediatric Population
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry L-Carnosine Modulates Respiratory Burst and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Neutrophil Biochemistry and Function: May Oral Dosage Form of Non-Hydrolized Dipeptide L-Carnosine Complement Anti-Infective Anti-Influenza Flu Treatment, Prevention and Self-Care as an Alternative to the Conventional Vaccination?
Current Clinical Pharmacology VNTR Variant of the <i>eNOS</i> Gene and its Relationship with Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Turkish Women
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Prednisolone Effects on Urine Cross-Linked N-Telopeptides of Type I Collagen (Ntx) Diurnal Rhythms in Children
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Cytokines as a Therapeutic Target for Allergic Diseases: A Complex Picture
Current Pharmaceutical Design Burner Development for the Reduction of NOx Emissions from Coal Fired Electric Utilities
Recent Patents on Mechanical Engineering