Effect of dexamethasone on bovine airway smooth muscle cell proliferation

Airway smooth muscle proliferation is a key component of airway wall remode lling that occurs as a consequence of inflammation in asthma. Studies were conducted to examine the effect of dexamethasone on airway smooth muscle ce ll (ASMC) proliferation in vitro. Dexamethasone (25-250 nM) significantly i nhibited DNA synthesis and cell division induced by beta-hexosaminidase A ( Hex A, 50 nM) in bovine ASMC. The inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on DNA synthesis was variable depending on the growth factors: significant effect was observed on Hex A and insulin; no significant effect was observed on e pidermal growth factor and fetal bovine serum.