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Arginine in asthma and lung inflammation
Nina E King1, Marc E Rothenberg, Nives Zimmermann
1Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
The Journal of Nutrition
|October 7, 2004
Summary
Asthma involves the metabolism of L-arginine by arginase. This enzyme plays a key role in the development of allergic airway inflammation and disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Asthma is a growing chronic inflammatory lung disease requiring novel research approaches.
- Arginase enzymes are implicated in asthma pathogenesis, regulating key disease processes.
- L-arginine metabolism by arginase is a critical pathway in allergic airway inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of L-arginine metabolism in asthma.
- To highlight the role of arginase in asthma pathogenesis.
- To discuss the implications of arginase activity in allergic airway responses.
Main Methods:
- Global microarray analysis to identify allergen-induced gene transcripts.
- Review of existing scientific literature on L-arginine metabolism and asthma.
- Analysis of gene expression related to arginase and cationic amino acid transporters.
Main Results:
- Arginase enzymes (I and II) and cationic amino acid transporter 2 (CAT2) are upregulated in asthma.
- Arginase activity is linked to airway hyperresponsiveness, cell hyperplasia, and collagen deposition.
- Arginase is not merely a marker but actively contributes to asthma development.
Conclusions:
- Arginase-mediated L-arginine metabolism is a significant factor in asthma pathogenesis.
- Targeting arginase pathways may offer new therapeutic strategies for asthma.
- Further research into L-arginine metabolism is crucial for advancing asthma treatment.