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Review: Rho kinase as a therapeutic target in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Pharmacology and Anaesthesiology Unit, School of Medicine & Pharmacology, and Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

Peter J. Henry

Pharmacology and Anaesthesiology Unit, School of Medicine & Pharmacology, and Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

Roy G. Goldie

Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia roy.goldie{at}flinders.edu.au

Asthma is a complex inflammatory disease of the airways involving reversible bronchoconstriction. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is typified by inflammation and airflow limitation that has an irreversible component. There is now substantial evidence that Rho kinase is involved in many of the pathways that contribute to the pathologies associated with these respiratory diseases including bronchoconstriction, airway inflammation, airway remodelling, neuromodulation and exacerbations due to respiratory tract viral infection. Indeed the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 causes bronchodilatation and reduces pulmonary eosinophilia trafficking and airways hyperresponsiveness. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggests that inhibition of Rho kinase could have a major beneficial impact on symptoms and disease progression in asthma and COPD by modulating several other systems and processes. Thus, the Rho kinase pathway may indeed be a worthwhile therapeutic target in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Key Words: Rho kinase • asthma • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease • bronchoconstriction • airway hyperresponsiveness • airway inflammation • neuromodulation • respiratory tract viral infection • Y-27632.

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