Airway epithelial overexpressed cathepsin K induces airway remodelling through epithelial–mesenchymal trophic unit activation in asthma

Airway epithelial cells (AECs) regulate the activation of epithelial-mesenchymal trophic units (EMTUs) during airway remodelling through secretion of signalling mediators. However, the major trigger and the intrinsic pathogenesis of airway remodelling is still obscure.