Airway remodeling in asthma includes alterations in extracellular matrix and airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass. For this study, ASM cells were obtained from rats that were challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) or saline (SAL) as control. OVA and SAL cells were seeded on plastic control (PC) or on plates coated with decorin or biglycan. OVA cell number was significantly increased versus SAL cells, for cells seeded on PC (48 h). A significant decrease in cell number was observed for both OVA and SAL cells seeded on decorin compared to PC cells (48 h). OVA cells, however, showed a more modest reduction in cell number. Furthermore, biglycan decreased SAL cell number only. Compared to no strain (NS), mechanical strain (S) reduced cell number for OVA and SAL cells on all matrices. In addition, S up-regulated expression of beta 1-integrin relative to NS controls. Results suggest an ability of ASM cells to be modulated by matrix and mechanical stimulation.

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