Role of Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-I in Human and Experimental Asthma

Abstract

RATIONALE: One characteristic feature of bronchial asthma is airway inflammation elicited by inflammatory cells such as T cells and eosinophils. The chronic inflammation leads to epithelial remodeling which is an important mechanism of irreversible airway obstruction. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I acts on fibroblasts as a progression factor to push cells toward proliferation and activation to synthesize collagen. Although PDGF is involved in remodeling of asthma, the role of IGF-I is unclear so far.