Linked Life Data

12629009

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/12629009

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3 Suppl
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-3-11
pubmed:abstractText
Chronic inflammation and remodeling may follow acute inflammation or may begin insidiously as a low-grade smoldering response, especially in the case of immune reactions. The histologic hallmarks of chronic inflammation and remodeling are as follows: (1) infiltration by macrophages and lymphocytes; (2) proliferation of fibroblasts that may take the form of myofibroblasts; (3) angiogenesis; (4) increased connective tissue (fibrosis); and (5) tissue destruction. It is clear that changes in the extracellular matrix, smooth muscle, and mucous glands have the capacity to influence airway function and reactivity in asthma patients. However, it is not known how each of the many structural changes that occur in the airway wall contributes to altered airway function in asthma. In asthma, remodeling is almost always present in biopsy specimens (eg, collagen deposition on basement membrane) but is not always clinically demonstrated. Destruction and subsequent remodeling of the normal bronchial architecture are manifested by an accelerated decline in FEV(1) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. This irreversible component of airway obstruction is more prominent in patients with severe disease and even persists after aggressive anti-inflammatory treatment. Airway remodeling appears to be of great importance for understanding the long-term follow-up of asthmatic patients, but there are major gaps in our knowledge. Physiologic correlations with pathology represent a major missing link that should be filled. More long-term studies are needed to appreciate the prevention and treatment of remodeling. Future research therefore should provide better methods for limiting airway remodeling in asthma patients.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
0012-3692
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
123
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
417S-22S
pubmed:dateRevised
2005-11-16
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
Airway remodeling in asthma.
pubmed:affiliation
Istituto di Medicina Generale e Pneumologia, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy. vignola.am@iol.it
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review