Moderate to severe asthma is difficult to treat because recurring bouts of inflammation in the lungs induce fibrosis, which reduces lung elasticity, gas exchange and responses to conventional therapy. A recent study identifies the tumor necrosis factor family member LIGHT as an essential mediator of airway fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic asthma (pages 596–603).
- Thomas A Wynn
- Thirumalai R Ramalingam