Extract
Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disorder characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation and remodelling, including ASMC hyperplasia and subepithelial airway fibrosis [1, 2]. Airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) from severe asthmatics are hyperproliferative, release more pro-inflammatory cytokines and are CS-insensitive compared to healthy individuals and non-severe asthma patients [3, 4]. Genetic and epigenetic processes such as miRNA expression and DNA methylation have been implicated in asthma pathogenesis [5]. Indeed, DNA methylation is altered in asthmatic blood cells [5] and may be a biomarker of atopy [6].
Abstract
Abnormal DNA methylation patterns distinguish airway smooth muscle cell function in asthma and asthma severity
Footnotes
This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal. It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Perry has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Lavender has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Adcock has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Michaeloudes has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Scott Kuo has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Galea has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Flanagan has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Chung has nothing to disclose.
- Copyright ©ERS 2018