Airway remodelling and inflammation in sheep lungs after chronic airway challenge with house dust mite

Abstract

Background: Remodelling of airway walls is a significant morbidity factor in patients suffering from chronic asthma. The relationship between airway remodelling and the inflammatory response is not well defined. Sheep have been used extensively to model airway disease in humans and represent a suitable model to examine airway remodelling. Objective: The aim of the present study was to develop a model for airway remodelling in sheep after repeated challenge with a relevant human allergen to assess the relationship of airway remodelling with inflammation. Methods: Repeated challenges of house dust mite (HDM) extract or saline (control) were administered to local lung segments of sheep for a pe..