Platelet-Derived Growth Factors (PDGFs) are Key Players in the Stimulation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells (ASMCs) Alteration in Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with Multifarious Inhibitors at an Early Stage of Development

Background: Alterations in airway smooth muscle cells cause an increase in their mass and result in a significant impact on airway remodeling diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Several studies have used platelet-derived growth factors to stimulate the alterations of airway smooth muscle cells. Objective: This review discusses the platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated alterations of airway smooth muscle cells, diversity of inhibitors and inhibitory actions against these alterations and their related mechanisms, and how this diversity presents an avenue for the development of multifarious therapeutic targets for airway remodeling diseases especially asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed and Medscape database for studies that investigated the stimulation of the alterations of airway smooth muscle cells in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by platelet-derived growth factors and inhibitions of these alterations. Results: Marked platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated alterations of airway smooth muscle cells are proliferation, migration and proliferative phenotype with diverse inhibitors and inhibitory actions against these alterations. Inhibitory actions are the result of the activation of protein kinase, overexpression of Tripartite motif protein, human transporter sub-family ABCA1 protein and miRNAs, knockdown of an isoform of reticulon 4 and follistatin protein, exogenous applications of recombinant proteins, supplements and active metabolite of retinoic acid, flavonoid extracts and polysaccharides extract. Conclusion: The multifarious inhibitors and inhibitory actions with varied mechanisms in platelet-derived growth factors-stimulated alterations of airway smooth muscle cells present a potential for diverse therapeutic targets for the treatment of airway remodeling diseases.