We have a new preprint online at bioRxiv. Data from Ryan, Jenna, and Ben show that squamous metaplasia and loss of cilia changes the polarity of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) signaling in nasal epithelial cells. Altered PAR-2 polarization in dedifferentiated or remodeled epithelia may contribute to increased sensitivity to inhaled protease allergens in inflammatory airway diseases. We also confirmed previous studies that PAR-2 can be activated by the common airway fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. This study reveals some new insights into changes in airway biology that may contribute to type II inflammatory airway diseases like chronic rhinosinusitis.
