Regulation of Chronic Inflammation in Asthma

Many cytokines have been implicated in the pathophysiolc of asthma (Arai etal., 1990 Cluzel and Lee, 1992). Cytokines are important in the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE), in the regulation of cellular infiltration of the airways, in the activation of inflammatory and resident cells, and in producing the structural changes that are a consequence of chronic inflammation. 

The TP receptor requires the G/G protein to activate the Src-Ras-ERKl/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2) cascade to induce the proliferative response, which in turn promotes the rapid nuclear translocation of activated ERKl/2 (201). Because TP receptor may be activated by many inflammatory mediators (202-204), these findings suggest new therapeutic strategies that alter the ASM hypertrophy or hyperplasia observed in the chronic airflow obstruction and airway inflammation that characterizes asthma, chronic bronchitis, bronchiolitis obliterans, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

---