Protease-activated receptor-2: Role in asthma pathogenesis and utility as a biomarker of disease severity
Vivek Gandhi, Nami Shrestha Palikhe, Harissios Vliagoftis
Abstract
PAR 2 , a receptor activated by serine proteases, has primarily pro-inflammatory roles in the airways and may play a role in asthma pathogenesis. PAR 2 exerts its effects in the lungs through activation of a variety of airway cells, but also activation of circulating immune cells. There is evidence that PAR 2 expression increases in asthma and other inflammatory diseases, although the regulation of PAR 2 expression is not fully understood. Here we review the available literature on the potential role of PAR 2 in asthma pathogenesis and propose a model of PAR 2 -mediated development of allergic sensitization. We also propose, based on our previous work, that PAR 2 expression on peripheral blood monocyte subsets has the potential to serve as a biomarker of asthma severity and/or control.