Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), originally described as a vascular permeability factor generating tissue oedema, has been found to exert a range of angiogenic actions, including epithelial cell proliferation, blood vessel formation and endothelial cell survival. Elevated levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor have been detected in bronchial tissues and secretions of asthmatic bronchial individuals, raising questions regarding its possible pathogenetic role in asthma. Using transgenic mice in which local over expression of VEGF could be induced in the lungs by administration of a tetracycline antibiotic demonstrated induction of an asthma-like phenotype with airway inflammation and oedema, hyper-responsiveness and remodelling (airway, parenchymal and vascular). Antigen-induced airway inflammation was accompanied by VEGF production by epithelial cells and TH2 cells, with production by Th1 cells markedly lower. (more…)
Local micro environmental factors are crucial in determining both susceptibility to vascular remodeling and the extent of angio ...
The airway circulation has many potential roles in asthma. The vasculature has a major influence on upper airway patency in nasal i ...
Airway hyper-responsiveness in asthma may involve smooth muscle growth, a manifestation of airway remodelling. The involvement ...
Airway remodelling is considered to be of major importance in the pathology of asthma, with subepithelial basement membrane thi ...
Innate immune responses are seen in a very broad range of tissues. Indeed, the Toll-like receptors (TLRs, one of the most important ...
Local micro environmental factors are crucial in determining both susceptibility to vascular remodeling and the extent of angiogenesis. Major exogenous triggers of airway inflammation in asthma include viruses and inhaled aeroallergens, both of which are known to be associated with the production of angiogenic factors . These stimuli elicit reciprocal immune responses, through elaboration of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. (more…)
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), originally described as a vascular permeability factor generating tissue oedema, has be ...
The airway circulation has many potential roles in asthma. The vasculature has a major influence on upper airway patency in nasal i ...
Exacerbations of asthma are frequently associated with rhinoviral infection. Rhinoviruses infect respiratory epithelial cells, ...
While our primary concern is the impact that the innate immune system has on allergic disease, it is essential to recognize that al ...
Eosinophil infiltration of the mucosa is a feature of asthmatic airways. Their adhesion to bronchial epithelial cells has been ...