Asthma: Cytokine-Induced Over-Expression of Matrix Metalloproteases Compromises Airway Epithelium Tight Junctions and a Clinical Case Study
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Authors
Mauban, Erika
Issue Date
2016
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
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Abstract
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that results in a constriction of the
airways. While there is no known cause of the disease, one possible theory of the
molecular cause of asthma is that the tight junctions of the airway epithelium are
disrupted as a result of cytokine activity that up regulates expression of matrix
metalloprotease 9. MMP9 encourages detachment-induced cell death—anoikis—which
results in a structural change compromising the airway epithelium’s ability to act as a
primary immune defense mechanism. The chronic characterization of asthma results
because of an ineffective epithelial repair mechanism which prevents full recovery of the
affected airway tissues thus allowing for further aggravation by environmental pathogens.
Further investigation of this pathway could potentially allow for improvement in
treatment and perhaps even the identification of a cure. First, a detailed background of the
disease will be introduced in chapter 1. The following chapter will provide a literature
review focused on the mechanism by which matrix metalloprotease 9 results in a
compromised airway epithelium (and thus increased susceptibility to environmental
pathogens). Lastly, chapter 3 will comprise of a clinical case study regarding the
diagnosis and treatment of asthma.
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In Copyright