Open AccessNew Avenues for Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors in Asthma
Author(s) -
Maria Gabriella Matera,
Josuel Ora,
Francesco Cavalli,
Paola Rogliani,
Mario Cazzola
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of experimental pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.555
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 1179-1454
DOI - 10.2147/jep.s242961
Subject(s) - phosphodiesterase , asthma , medicine , pharmacology , chemistry , enzyme , biochemistry
Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are isoenzymes ubiquitously expressed in the lungs where they catalyse cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP), which are fundamental second messengers in asthma, thereby regulating the intracellular concentrations of these cyclic nucleotides, their signaling pathways and, consequently, myriad biological responses. The superfamily of PDEs is composed of 11 families with a distinct substrate specificity, molecular structure and subcellular localization. Experimental studies indicate a possible role in asthma mainly for PDE3, PDE4, PDE5 and PDE7. Consequently, drugs that inhibit PDEs may offer novel therapeutic options for the treatment of this disease.