Controversies Surrounding the Potential Use of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Asthma
Figure 5
The therapeutic potential of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDAC) in the treatment of asthma is emerging. Findings have indicated that Trichostatin A attenuates airway constriction but not inflammation in murine models of allergic airways disease. In our chronic model of allergic airways disease, apart from airway hyperresponsiveness, goblet cell hyperplasia and metaplasia (G), inflammation (I), airway wall thickening (A), and subepithelial collagen deposition (C) are evident in ovalbumin-sensitized (OVA-VEH) mice (b) compared to controls (saline) (a). Treatment with valproic acid (c) attenuates airway hyperresponsiveness and results in a reduction in airway epithelial thickness, subepithelial collagen deposition, and goblet cell hyperplasia. magnification, (b and c) magnification.
