Airway remodeling - experimental studies on effects of corticosteroids, beta 2-agonists and antileukotrienes

Airway remodeling observed in asthmatic patients is a process involving the number of negative changes within the following structures: bronchial epithelium, bronchial miocytes, blood vessels and goblet cells. Remodeling contributes to adverse changes in the airways due to increased airflow resistance in the bronchi. Further effects depend on functional deterioration of lung function. Bronchial epithelial cells play an essential role in this process, because of their protective and secretory functions. Remodeling leads to the damage of epithelial cells by activating numerous factors (proteases, metaloproteinases, elastases), which in turn impairs the protective function of the epithelium. The use of inhaled drugs provides the direct action in the airways and increases the speed of action of these drugs. However, as treatment with inhaled drugs is related to their direct effect on bronchial epithelial cells, it is important to determine the influence of particular groups of drugs on the morphology and function of epithelial cells. The following paper describes changes in the airways observed during remodeling, and current knowledge on the influence of drugs on the airways' structure and function.