Genes and Pathways Regulating Decline in Lung Function and Airway Remodeling in Asthma.

ABSTRACT: Asthma is a common disorder of the airways characterized by airway inflammation and by decline in lung function and airway remodeling in a subset of asthmatics. Airway remodeling is characterized by structural changes which include airway smooth muscle hypertrophy/hyperplasia, subepithelial fibrosis due to thickening of the reticular basement membrane, mucus metaplasia of the epithelium, and angiogenesis. Epidemiologic studies suggest that both genetic and environmental factors may contribute to decline in lung function and airway remodeling in a subset of asthmatics. Environmental factors include respiratory viral infection-triggered asthma exacerbations, and tobacco smoke. There is also evidence that several asthma candidate genes may contribute to decline in lung function, including

SUBMITTER: Hur GY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6658410 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature