[HTML][HTML] Role of breast regression protein-39/YKL-40 in asthma and allergic responses

CG Lee, JA Elias - Allergy, asthma & immunology research, 2010 - synapse.koreamed.org
CG Lee, JA Elias
Allergy, asthma & immunology research, 2010synapse.koreamed.org
BRP-39 and its human homolog YKL-40 have been regarded as a prototype of chitinase-like
proteins (CLP) in mammals. Exaggerated levels of YKL-40 protein and/or mRNA have been
noted in a number of diseases characterized by inflammation, tissue remodeling, and
aberrant cell growth. Asthma is an inflammatory disease characterized by airway
hyperresponsiveness and airway remodeling. Recently, the novel regulatory role of BRP-
39/YKL-40 in the pathogenesis of asthma has been demonstrated both in human studies …
BRP-39 and its human homolog YKL-40 have been regarded as a prototype of chitinase-like proteins (CLP) in mammals. Exaggerated levels of YKL-40 protein and/or mRNA have been noted in a number of diseases characterized by inflammation, tissue remodeling, and aberrant cell growth. Asthma is an inflammatory disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and airway remodeling. Recently, the novel regulatory role of BRP-39/YKL-40 in the pathogenesis of asthma has been demonstrated both in human studies and allergic animal models. The levels of YKL-40 are increased in the circulation and lungs from asthmatics where they correlate with disease severity, and CHI3L1 polymorphisms correlate with serum YKL-40 levels, asthma and abnormal lung function. Animal studies using BRP-39 null mutant mice demonstrated that BRP-39 was required for optimal allergen sensitization and Th2 inflammation. These studies suggest the potential use of BRP-39 as a biomarker as well as a therapeutic target for asthma and other allergic diseases. Here, we present an overview of chitin/chitinase biology and summarize recent findings on the role of BRP-39 in the pathogenesis of asthma and allergic responses.
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