Research has uncovered the mechanism by which the inflammatory protein 'LIGHT' causes airway remodeling and chronic respiratory issues. Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have found that LIGHT, an inflammatory molecule, is responsible for causing severe and life-threatening airwa
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Common symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or early in the morning.
Croft’s team has studied LIGHT for more than a decade. The LIGHT protein is a type of inflammatory “cytokine” produced by the immune system’s T cells. T cells normally fight disease, but in asthma, T cells overreact to environmental triggers and flood the airways with LIGHT and other inflammatory cytokines. Researchers have developed therapies to block the activity of some of the other harmful cytokines made by T cells, but these therapies aren’t effective for many with severe asthma.
Even though they knew LIGHT was involved in this remodeling, the researchers did not know whether LIGHT directly affects the smooth muscle tissue that lines the major airways of the lungs. These cells increase in number and size in moderate and severe asthmatics, which is thought to be a primary cause of loss of lung function.
Of course, LIGHT isn’t the only cytokine in the mix during an asthma attack, but the new study suggests that LIGHT packs the biggest punch. By acting directly on airway smooth muscle cells, LIGHT coordinates the remodeling process. Without LIGHT and LTβR activity, the other cytokines can’t pick up the slack. In fact, the new study is the first to show that the deletion of a single receptor or the absence of a single cytokine can limit airway smooth muscle tissue remodeling.
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