Protease-activated receptor-2: Role in asthma pathogenesis and utility as a biomarker of disease severity

PAR(2), a receptor activated by serine proteases, has primarily pro-inflammatory roles in the airways and may play a role in asthma pathogenesis. PAR(2) exerts its effects in the lungs through activation of a variety of airway cells, but also activation of circulating immune cells. There is evidence that PAR(2) expression increases in asthma and other inflammatory diseases, although the regulation of PAR(2) expression is not fully understood. Here we review the available literature on the potential role of PAR(2) in asthma pathogenesis and propose a model of PAR(2)-mediated development of allergic sensitization. We also propose, based on our previous work, that PAR(2) expression on peripheral blood monocyte subsets has the potential to serve as a biomarker of asthma severity and/or control.