Extract
The lack of bronchodilatory response to deep inspiration in asthmatics is thought to be partially due to reduced airway distensibility [1, 2], possibly caused by an increase in airway smooth muscle (ASM) tone and stiffness [3]. Rho-kinase (ROCK) is known to play a role in regulating ASM tone [4] and ASM cytoskeletal stiffness [5].
Abstract
An important phenotypic change is associated with human asthma: the protein expression of both isoforms of Rho-kinase, ROCK1 and ROCK2, is increased in the smooth muscles of intra-parenchymal airways and in the pulmonary blood vessels http://bit.ly/2pPfyxH
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: L. Wang reports grants from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and British Columbia Lung Association, during the conduct of the study.
Conflict of interest: P. Chitano reports grants from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and British Columbia Lung Association, during the conduct of the study.
Conflict of interest: P.D. Paré reports grants from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and British Columbia Lung Association, during the conduct of the study.
Conflict of interest: C.Y. Seow reports grants from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and British Columbia Lung Association, during the conduct of the study.
Support statement: This work was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the British Columbia Lung Association. Funding information for this article has been deposited with the Crossref Funder Registry.
- Received September 11, 2019.
- Accepted November 4, 2019.
- Copyright ©ERS 2020