Chronic inflammation in asthmatic airways leads to bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) and the development of structural changes. Important features of remodeling include the formation of subepithelial fibrosis due to increased collagen deposition in the reticular basement membrane. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta might be a central mediator of tissue fibrosis and remodeling.
Bronchial hyper-responsiveness, subepithelial fibrosis, and transforming growth factor-beta(1) expression in patients with long-standing and recently diagnosed asthma.
