Plasminogen is an important regulator in the pathogenesis of a murine model of asthma.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Asthma is a syndrome whose common pathogenic expression is inflammation of the airways. Plasminogen plays an important role in cell migration and is also implicated in tissue remodeling, but its role in asthma has not been defined.

Objectives

To test whether plasminogen is a critical component in the development of asthma.

Methods

We used a mouse model of ovalbumin-induced pulmonary inflammation in Plg(+/+), Plg(+/-), and Plg(-/-) mice.

Measurements and main results

The host responses measured included lung morphometry, and inflammatory mediators and cell counts were assessed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Bronchoalveolar lavage demonstrated a marked increase in eosinophils and lymphocytes in ovalbumin-treated Plg(+/+) mice, which were reduced to ph

SUBMITTER: Swaisgood CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1994216 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature