Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) in the airways.

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) act as sensors for active extracellular serine proteases. Since serine proteases like mast cell tryptase are associated with inflammatory processes, PARs may represent novel pharmacological targets in airway diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, our present understanding of the physiological roles of PARs is in its infancy. In this review we highlight evidence for the involvement of PARs in airway disease and propose that these novel receptors may play mainly protective roles.