title: Mechanisms of asthma.
abstract: Understanding of the mechanisms of asthma has progressed in three areas: the genetics of asthma, the role of nitric oxide in asthma, and the role of neurokinins in asthma. Genes encoding for the high affinity IgE receptor, the beta 2-adrenergic receptor, and interleukin-4 have been linked to clinical characteristics of asthma. Exhaled nitric oxide may be a useful clinical marker for airway inflammation in asthma. Tachykinin receptors are present in human lung and may be differentially expressed in individuals with asthma.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / Q000235:genetics; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000235:genetics; D018039:Receptors, Tachykinin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D009479:Neuropeptides; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D018039:Receptors, Tachykinin; D015847:Interleukin-4; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase