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Citation
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HERO ID
1937480
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Mechanisms of airway remodeling
Author(s)
Hirota, N; Martin, JG
Year
2013
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Chest
ISSN:
0012-3692
EISSN:
1931-3543
Volume
144
Issue
3
Page Numbers
1026-1032
Language
English
PMID
24008953
DOI
10.1378/chest.12-3073
Abstract
Airway remodeling comprises the structural changes of airway walls, induced by repeated injury and repair processes. It is characterized by the changes of tissue, cellular, and molecular composition, affecting airway smooth muscle, epithelium, blood vessels, and extracellular matrix. It occurs in patients with chronic inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis. Airway remodeling is arguably one of the most intractable problems in these diseases, leading to irreversible loss of lung function. Current therapeutics can ameliorate inflammation, but there is no available therapy proven to prevent or reverse airway remodeling, although reversibility of airway remodeling is suggested by studies in animal models of disease. Airway remodeling is often considered the result of longstanding airway inflammation, but it may be present to an equivalent degree in the airways of children with asthma, raising the necessity for early and specific therapeutic interventions. In this review, we consider the factors that may contribute to airway remodeling and discuss the current and potential therapeutic interventions.
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IRIS
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Libby Amphibole Asbestos (Draft, 2011)
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