Airway inflammation and structural changes in airway hyper-responsiveness and asthma: an overview.
Asthma treatment has moved from bronchodilator therapy to an emphasis on anti-inflammatory therapy. Airway inflammation is believed to induce airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) through the release of mediators that increase the airway response to agonists. However, the exact contribution of airway inflammation in the physiology of airway hyper-responsiveness remains undefined. Structural modifications in airways resulting from inflammation may contribute to the development and persistence of AHR and the development of asthma. This paper reviews some of the main components of airway inflammation and structural changes in asthma, and discusses how these processes may interact to modify airway function and induce respiratory symptoms.
Boulet
L P
LP
Unité de Recherche, Centre de Pneumologie de l'Hôpital Laval, Réseau canadien des Centres d'exellence en santé respiratoire, Sainte-Foy, Canada. lpboulet@med.ulaval.ca
Chakir
J
J
Dubé
J
J
Laprise
C
C
Boutet
M
M
Laviolette
M
M
D000403:Airway Resistance; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D013256:Steroids
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D013256:Steroids