Collagen impairs glucocorticoid actions in airway smooth muscle through integrin signalling

Abstract

Background and purpose: Airway wall remodelling in asthma is characterised by a number of structural changes, including an increase in the volume of airway smooth muscle (ASM), and the abundance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, collagen, is increased. We have investigated the mechanism of collagen-induced glucocorticoid resistance of proliferation, and migration of ASM. Experimental approach: ASM cultured from human airways has been seeded on to either type I monomeric collagen or a laminin pentapeptide, YIGSR. The role of α 2β 1 integrin in the collagen-induced glucocorticoid resistance was investigated using a function blocking monoclonal antibody. Key results: Culture of ASM on ..