The high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) expression and function in airway smooth muscle

The airway smooth muscle (ASM) is no longer considered as merely a contractile apparatus and passive recipient of growth factors, neurotransmitters and inflammatory mediators signal but a critical player in the perpetuation and modulation of airway inflammation and remodeling. In recent years, a molecular link between ASM and IgE has been established through Fc epsilon receptors (Fc epsilon Rs) in modulating the phenotype and function of these cells. Particularly, the expression of high affinity IgE receptor (Fa epsilon I) has been noted in primary human ASM cells in vitro and in vivo within bronchial biopsies of allergic asthmatic subjects. The activation of Fc epsilon RI on ASM cells suggests a critical yet almost completely ignored network which may modulate ASM cell function in allergic asthma. This review is intended to provide a historical perspective of IgE effects on ASM and highlights the recent updates in the expression and function of Fc epsilon RI, and to present future perspectives of activation of this pathway in ASM cells. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.