Mucosal permeability and smooth muscle function in asthma.
The changes in airway structure that occur in asthma are characteristic of a chronic inflammatory process that involves tissue covered by a mucosal surface. This article reviews the inflammatory process and presentation of evidence that structural changes seen in asthmatic airways are a result of this response. The contribution of the airway muscle and epithelium to the abnormal function of asthmatic airways is also reviewed.
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
J C
JC
Hogg
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010539:Permeability