Journal of Pharmacological Sciences
Online ISSN : 1347-8648
Print ISSN : 1347-8613
ISSN-L : 1347-8613
Critical Reviews
RhoA, a Possible Target for Treatment of Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Bronchial Asthma
Yoshihiko ChibaKimihiko MatsusueMiwa Misawa
Author information
JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2010 Volume 114 Issue 3 Pages 239-247

Details
Abstract

Airway hyperresponsiveness to nonspecific stimuli is one of the characteristic features of allergic bronchial asthma. An elevated contractility of bronchial smooth muscle has been considered as one of the causes of the airway hyperresponsiveness. The contraction of smooth muscles including airway smooth muscles is mediated by both Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent pathways. The latter Ca2+-independent pathway, termed Ca2+ sensitization, is mainly regulated by a monomeric GTP-binding protein, RhoA, and its downstream target Rho-kinase. In animal models of allergic bronchial asthma, an augmented agonist-induced, RhoA-mediated contraction of bronchial smooth muscle has been suggested. The RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling is now proposed as a novel target for the treatment of airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. Herein, we will discuss the mechanism of development of bronchial smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness, one of the causes of the airway hyperresponsiveness, based on the recent studies using animal models of allergic bronchial asthma and/or cultured airway smooth muscle cells. The possibility of RhoA as a therapeutic target in asthma, especially airway hyperresponsiveness, will also be described.

Content from these authors
© The Japanese Pharmacological Society 2010
Next article
feedback
Top