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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
11:07
Biochemical Reconstitution of Steroid Receptor•Hsp90 Protein Complexes and Reactivation of Ligand Binding
Published on: September 21, 2011
Update on glucocorticoid action and resistance.
Kazuhiro Ito1, K Fian Chung, Ian M Adcock
1Cell and Molecular Biology, Airways Disease Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, UK.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|March 9, 2006
Summary
Glucocorticoids are effective asthma treatments, but some patients show resistance. Understanding resistance mechanisms may lead to targeted therapies for severe corticosteroid-resistant asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Glucocorticoids are potent anti-inflammatory drugs for asthma, with optimized lung delivery and reduced systemic effects.
- Despite advancements, a subset of asthma patients exhibits resistance to high-dose inhaled or oral glucocorticoids.
- Understanding glucocorticoid pharmacology, including transactivation, transrepression, and cofactor recruitment, clarifies mechanisms of inflammation suppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying glucocorticoid insensitivity in asthma.
- To investigate the potential for distinct disease subtypes within corticosteroid-resistant asthma.
- To guide targeted therapeutic strategies for patients with severe, difficult-to-treat asthma.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on glucocorticoid pharmacology and asthma.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid action and resistance.
- Examination of patient subgroups with severe corticosteroid-resistant asthma.
Main Results:
- Glucocorticoid resistance in asthma may stem from multiple underlying molecular mechanisms.
- This resistance might represent different disease entities sharing a common phenotype.
- Current glucocorticoid therapies are ineffective for these resistant patient groups.
Conclusions:
- Severe corticosteroid-resistant asthma likely involves diverse pathophysiological pathways.
- Future research should focus on identifying and targeting specific patient subgroups.
- Development of novel therapeutic agents is crucial for improving asthma control in resistant populations.
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