Biochemistry and Pharmacology - Research Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/11343/214

Filters

2006 2
Reset filters

Settings
Statistics
Citations
Author: Anderson, Gary × End date: 2009 × Start date: 2006 × Type: Journal Article ×

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Item
    No Preview Available
    Akt in the pathogenesis of COPD.
    Bozinovski, S ; Vlahos, R ; Hansen, M ; Liu, K ; Anderson, GP (Informa UK Limited, 2006)
    In this review we consider the therapeutic potential of targeting Akt for the treatment of COPD. Akt is a serine/threonine protein kinase that functions as a signaling intermediate linked to multiple signaling programs involved in survival, inflammation, and growth. Akt is closely associated with key membrane-bound receptors and represents a convergent integration point for multiple stimuli implicated in COPD pathogenesis. Persistent activation of Akt secondary to somatic mutations in regulatory oncogenes, such as PTEN, may explain why inflammation in COPD does not resolve when smoking is ceased. Akt is also implicated in the systemic manifestations of COPD such as skeletal muscle wasting and metabolic disturbances. Furthermore, targeting Akt may provide a useful means of limiting the severity and duration of disease exacerbations in COPD. As such, Akt represents a particularly attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of COPD. Interestingly, current knowledge suggests that both inhibitors and activators of Akt may be useful for treating different clinical subpopulations of COPD patients.
  • Item
    No Preview Available
    What is the contribution of respiratory viruses and lung proteases to airway remodelling in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
    Gualano, RC ; Vlahos, R ; Anderson, GP (ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2006)
    It is well known that the lungs of asthmatics show airway wall remodelling and that asthma exacerbations are linked to respiratory infections. There is some evidence that respiratory infections in early childhood may increase the risk of developing asthma later in life. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), by definition, involves structural changes to the airways. However, very little is known about what role virus infections play in the development of this remodelling. This review considers the role of matrix metalloproteases and neutrophil elastase in remodelling, and whether the induction of proteases and other mediators during respiratory virus infections may contribute to the development of airway remodelling.