Proteomics in asthma

Abstract

Proteomic approaches have already been successfully implemented in areas such as cancer research. Surprisingly, only a few proteomics analyses have been published reporting on the protein profiles associated with asthma. Although proteomics has its limitations and experimental challenges, it can successfully contribute to the understanding of a complex disease such as asthma. We have reviewed the current literature that has reported the use of proteomic techniques to identify proteins that may contribute to altered lung function in asthma. Only a few of these studies have used proteomic techniques on human tissues associated with asthma, while most research has been performed with animal models of asthma. Proteomic applications have been used as a complimentary technique to verify the suspected candidate proteins involved in asthma. In addition, novel proteins have been identified as potential therapeutic targets. Future collaboration between the different scientific disciplines using proteomic studies of animal models of asthma and confirmation of these findings in human tissues will significantly contribute to the understanding of the etiology of asthma and lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for this highly prevalent disease.