Pulmonary vascular changes in asthma and COPD

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2014 Source:Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Author(s): Louise M. Harkness , Varsha Kanabar , Hari S. Sharma , Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson , Anna-Karin Larsson-Callerfelt In chronic lung disorders such as in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) there is increased bronchial angiogenesis and remodelling of pulmonary vessels culminating to altered bronchial and pulmonary circulation. The involvement of residential cells such as endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and pulmonary fibroblasts, all appear to have a crucial role in the progression of vascular inflammation and remodelling. The regulatory abnormalities, growth factors and mediators implicated in the pulmonary vascular changes of asthma and COPD subjects and potential therapeutic targets have been described in this review.
Source: Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics - Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research