title: New insights into the understanding of asthma.
abstract: The prevalence of asthma is increasing, despite better understanding of its pathogenesis and improved treatments. During the past 10 years, the perception of asthma has shifted from a disease primarily characterized by altered smooth muscle function to one mainly characterized by chronic inflammation. This article reviews the evidence supporting the relationship of inflammation in both the upper and lower airways, focusing on intermittent seasonal disease as well as on the more chronic and severe forms of asthma, including that associated with aspirin intolerance. It also presents evidence to support a pivotal role for the epithelial cell, together with the mast cell and the eosinophil, in initiating and maintaining inflammation in the upper and lower airways.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, St. Bartholomew's, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Abdelaziz
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Calderon
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Khair
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Devalia
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rusznak
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000502:physiology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D015289:Leukotrienes; D001241:Aspirin