Inhibition of angiogenesis by IL-32: possible role in asthma.

Background: IL-32 is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in various chronic inflammatory diseases. Chronic airway inflammation in asthmatic patients results in structural airway changes, including angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key inducer of angiogenesis in the airways of asthmatic patients.

Claudin-1 expression in airway smooth muscle exacerbates airway remodeling in asthmatic subjects.

Background: Increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass is an essential component of airway remodeling and asthma development, and there is no medication specifically against it. Tight junction (TJ) proteins, which are expressed in endothelial and epithelial cells and affect tissue integrity, might exist in other types of cells and display additional functions in the asthmatic lung.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the existence, regulation, and function of TJ proteins in ASM in asthmatic patients.

IL-32 is expressed by human primary keratinocytes and modulates keratinocyte apoptosis in atopic dermatitis.

Background: Keratinocyte (KC) apoptosis is an important mechanism of eczema and spongiosis in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and is mediated by IFN-gamma, which is secreted by T(H)1 cells. IL-32 is a proinflammatory cytokine that is involved in the inflammatory processes of rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Crohn disease. Recently, it was shown that upregulation of IL-32 induces apoptosis.