Extracellular matrix, integrins, and mesenchymal cell function in the airways

Abstract

Subepithelial fibrosis is one of the characteristic features of asthmatic airways. The fibrotic response includes an increase in volume occupied by extracellular matrix (ECM) tissue, and a change in the ECM composition favouring wound type collagens, fibronectin and a number of glycoproteins and proteoglycans normally associated with development. The altered ECM is likely to be deposited by the mesenchymal cells (including (myo) fibroblasts and smooth muscle) that are increased in number in asthmatic airways. In turn, the altered asthmatic ECM is likely to influence the function of the resident airway cells, and may be directly responsible for increasing proliferation, migration, ECM synthes..