RESEARCH Open Access Endoplasmic reticulum str G E

Full list of author information is available at the end of the articleAirway inflammation and fibrosis impact lung structure and function in allergic asthma [1]. For instance, chronic asthmatics display extensive airway remodeling character-ized by sub-epithelial fibrosis, goblet cell hyperplasia and increased thickness of the basement membrane [2-4]. To date, the processes that facilitate airway fibrosis in allergic asthma remain poorly understood and require a deeper understanding of the cellular and molecular responses targets. House Dust Mite (HDM) is one of the most commonly found airborne allergens [5], inducing an allergic response in 50-85 % of asthmatics [5,6]. Extracts of HDM contain fungal spores, chitin, fecal pellets (containing proteases), Dermatophagoide (Der) family of proteins and lipopoly-saccharide (LPS) [7-10]. Studies in rodents have shown that these components can activate multiple receptors present on airway epithelial cells, inducing the secretion of growth factors, the production of cytokines that regu-late subsequent activation of T cells, mucus metaplasia