Transforming growth factor β and severe asthma: A perfect storm

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease involving complex interplay between resident and infiltrative cells, which in turn are regulated by a wide range of host mediators. Identifying useful biomarkers correlating with clinical symptoms and degree of airway obstruction remain important to effective future asthma treatments. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a major mediator involved in pro-inflammatory responses and fibrotic tissue remodeling within the asthmatic lung. Its role however, as a therapeutic target remains controversial. The aim of this review is to highlight its role in severe asthma including interactions with adaptive T-helper cells, cytokines and differentiation through regulatory T-cells. Associations between TGF-beta and eosinophils will be addressed and the effects of genetic polymorphisms of the TGF-beta 1 gene explored in the context of asthma. We highlight TGF-beta 1 as a potential future therapeutic target in severe asthma including its importance in identifying emerging clinical phenotypes in asthmatic subjects who may be suitable for individualized therapy through TGF-beta modulation. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.