title: Mechanisms of asthma.
abstract: In recent years, our understanding of basic mechanisms of asthma has increased significantly. This article reviews three specific areas that have been the focus of current asthma research: the role of nitric oxide in the control of airway tone and inflammation, mechanisms of exercise-induced asthma, and current studies in the genetics of asthma. Recent advances in each of these areas have contributed to a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms in asthma and are important in the diagnosis and therapy of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201, USA.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Teeter
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Bleecker
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D001980:Bronchi / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000503:physiopathology; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide