What is it about?
This study demonstrates that interleukin-33 contributes to the development of irreversible obstruction of the bronchial tubes in severe asthma by favoring the airway recruitment and profibrotic function of circulating fibrocytes (bone marrow derived mesenchymal progenitors) during repeated episodes of allergen-induced asthma exacerbations.
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Why is it important?
This study uncovers an important mechanism through which fibrocytes may migrate, proliferate and cause irreversible structural changes in the airways of allergic asthmatics when their disease is not adequately controlled by current treatment. Moreover, it provides novel information on the function of interleukin-33 in asthma which may be exploited at the therapeutic level in the future.
Perspectives
Interleukin-33 may represent a target for the development of novel therapeutic compounds to be used in addition to available therapeutic options in the cases of treatment-resistant, severe asthma.
Dr. Sabrina Mattoli
Avail Biomedical Research Institute
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: IL-33 promotes the migration and proliferation of circulating fibrocytes from patients with allergen-exacerbated asthma, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, September 2012, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.08.047.
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