May 2005 , Vol 17 , No. 3
Research TrendsPlasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 in Asthma and COPD
Seong H. Cho, Soo H. Baik, Chad K. Oh
UCLA School of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
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Abstract Background: Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 is the main inhibitor of the fibrinolytic system and is known to play an essential role in tissue remodeling. Recent evidence indicates that chronic asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may lead to tissue remodeling such as extra-cellular matrix (ECM) deposition in the airways. However, the role of PAI-1 in asthma is unknown.
Methods/data base: Recently, the mast cell (MC), which plays a major role in asthma, was found to be a novel source of PAI-1, and a large number of MCs expressing PAI-1 are infiltrated in the airways of patients with severe asthma. Furthermore, PAI-1-deficient mice show reduced ECM deposition in the airways of a murine model of chronic asthma by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity and fib-rinolysis. In a human study, the 4G allele frequency was significantly higher in asthmatic patients than in a control group.
Results/Conclusion: In view of the findings that the 4G allele is associated with elevated plasma PAI-1 level, elevated PAI-1 level in the lung may contribute to the development of asthma and COPD. In summary, PAI-1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma and COPD and further studies evaluating the mechanisms of PAI-1 action may lead to the development of a novel therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of asthma.
Key words: asthma - mast cells - plasminogen activator inhibitor-1
Allergy Clin Immunol Int: J World Allergy Org, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 105-113
© 2005 by Hogrefe & Huber Publishers
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