Airway epithelial overexpressed cathepsin K induces airway remodelling through epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit activation in asthma.

Increased expression of CTSK in airway epithelia is involved in the development of airway remodelling in asthma through EMTU activation, mediated partly through the PAR2-mediated signalling pathway. CTSK is a potential biomarker for airway remodelling, and may also be a useful intervention target for airway remodelling in asthma patients.