Signaling and regulation of G protein-coupled receptors in airway smooth muscle

• Published in: Respiratory research Vol. 4; no. 1; p. 2
• Main Authors: Billington, Charlotte K, Penn, Raymond B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 14.03.2003; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Adrenergic beta-Agonists - therapeutic use; airway remodeling; airway smooth muscle; Animals; Asthma - drug therapy; Asthma - etiology; Asthma - metabolism; Bronchial Hyperreactivity - metabolism; G protein-coupled receptor; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Humans; inflammation; Muscle, Smooth - metabolism; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - metabolism; Respiratory System - metabolism; Review; Signal Transduction; synthetic function
• ISSN: 1465-993X; 1465-9921; 1465-993X
• DOI: 10.1186/1465-9921-4-2

Signaling through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediates numerous airway smooth muscle (ASM) functions including contraction, growth, and "synthetic" functions that orchestrate airway inflammation and promote remodeling of airway architecture. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview of the GPCRs that have been identified in ASM cells, and discuss the extent to which signaling via these GPCRs has been characterized and linked to distinct ASM functions. In addition, we examine the role of GPCR signaling and its regulation in asthma and asthma treatment, and suggest an integrative model whereby an imbalance of GPCR-derived signals in ASM cells contributes to the asthmatic state.