Volume 2025, Issue 1 5526526
Review Article
Open Access

Drugs Used in the Treatment of Viral Infections for the Prevention of Airway Remodeling in Asthma

Joanna Wieczfinska

Joanna Wieczfinska

Department of Immunopathology , Medical Faculty , Medical University of Lodz , Lodz , Poland , umed.pl

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Rafal Pawliczak

Corresponding Author

Rafal Pawliczak

Department of Immunopathology , Medical Faculty , Medical University of Lodz , Lodz , Poland , umed.pl

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First published: 24 July 2025
Academic Editor: Mirella Giovarelli

Abstract

One of the main causes of the exacerbation of chronic airway inflammatory diseases is respiratory virus infections. The most prevalent viruses that can infect humans multiple times a year are rhinovirus (RV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Because remodeling factors like matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are released by infiltrating neutrophils, are present. Airway remodeling is a characteristic of the pathology of airway diseases such as bronchial asthma. In these circumstances, viral infections may result in increased neutrophilic activation, which would exacerbate asthma symptoms and modify the airway. Although a connection between viral infections and acute exacerbations of chronic inflammatory respiratory diseases has been established, anti-inflammatory medications are frequently used in conjunction with antiviral medications to treat viral infections. Although their modes of action differ, they all lessen inflammation, which is essential for the development of airway remodeling. This review addresses the potential role of anti-inflammatory and antiviral drugs in preventing airway remodeling.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

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