Upregulation of smooth muscle Rho-kinase protein expression in human asthma

The lack of bronchodilatory response to deep inspiration in asthmatics is thought to be partially due to reduced airway distensibility [1, 2], possibly caused by an increase in airway smooth muscle (ASM) tone and stiffness [3]. Rho-kinase (ROCK) is known to play a role in regulating ASM tone [4] and ASM cytoskeletal stiffness [5]. Footnotes This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal . It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article. Conflict of interest: Dr. Wang reports grants from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, grants from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, grants from British Columbia Lung Association, during the conduct of the study. Conflict of interest: Dr. Chitano reports grants from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, grants from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, grants from British Columbia Lung Association, during the conduct of the study. Conflict of interest: Dr. Pare reports grants from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, grants from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, grants from British Columbia Lung Association, during the conduct of the study. Conflict of interest: Dr. Seow reports grants from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, grants from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, grants from British Columbia Lung Association, during the conduct of the study.