Results of a new study published in Thorax indicated an important pro-inflammatory role for the Frizzled-8 receptor of the Wingless/integrase-1 (WNT) signalling pathway and suggested that its expression is related to chronic bronchitis.

Researchers analyzed acute cigarette-smoke-induced airway inflammation in wild-type and Frizzled-8-deficient mice. In wild-type mice, researchers observed cigarette-smoke-exposure induced airway inflammation. Meanwhile, airway inflammation was prevented in Frizzled-8-deficient mice.

The results suggested a crucial role for Frizzled-8 in airway inflammation, researchers wrote, adding that the findings indicated an unexpected role for fibroblasts in regulating airway inflammation in COPD.