Endothelin-1 induces bronchial myofibroblast differentiation
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Updated: Oct 31, 2026

Development of an In Vitro Assay to Evaluate Contractile Function of Mesenchymal Cells that Underwent Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: June 10, 2016
1Institute of Experimental Medicine, Milano, Italy.
Abstract:
Endothelin-1 may contribute to bronchial smooth muscle constriction and airway remodelling in asthma, where bronchial epithelial cells represent an important source of this peptide. We report here that asthmatic bronchial epithelial cells exposed to allergens in vitro induce the differentiation of airway fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and that they do so through a granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor-mediated upregulation of endothelin-1 production. By this mechanism bronchial epithelial cells may participate in the genesis of bronchial subepithelial fibrosis, a process which contributes to airway narrowing in asthma.
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