Bronchial subepithelial fibrosis and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in asthmatic airway inflammation

M Hoshino, Y Nakamura, JJ Sim, J Shimojo… - Journal of allergy and …, 1998 - Elsevier
Background: Bronchial asthma is characterized by airway structural changes, including
mucosal inflammation and subepithelial collagen deposition. An imbalance between the
matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) is thought to play a
critical role in the synthesis or degradation of the extracellular matrix of the airway
architecture. However, the relationship between subepithelial basement membrane
thickness and these enzymes in asthma has not been determined. Objective: We compared …