Journal article

The Effects of Tumstatin on Vascularity, Airway Inflammation and Lung Function in an Experimental Sheep Model of Chronic Asthma

Joanne Van der Velden, Louise M Harkness, Donna M Barker, Garry J Barcham, Cathryn L Ugalde, Emmanuel Koumoundouros, Heidi Bao, Louise A Organ, Ana Tokanovic, Janette K Burgess, Kenneth J Snibson

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS | NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP | Published : 2016

Abstract

Tumstatin, a protein fragment of the alpha-3 chain of Collagen IV, is known to be significantly reduced in the airways of asthmatics. Further, there is evidence that suggests a link between the relatively low level of tumstatin and the induction of angiogenesis and inflammation in allergic airway disease. Here, we show that the intra-segmental administration of tumstatin can impede the development of vascular remodelling and allergic inflammatory responses that are induced in a segmental challenge model of experimental asthma in sheep. In particular, the administration of tumstatin to lung segments chronically exposed to house dust mite (HDM) resulted in a significant reduction of airway sma..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) Australia Fellowship


Funding Acknowledgements

We thank Mr. Bob Geyer for the care of the animals. This study was supported by the CRC for Asthma and Airways, Australia. JK Burgess was funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) Australia Fellowship #1032695.