title: Regulation of beta-adrenergic responses in airway smooth muscle.
abstract: Decreased responsiveness to beta-adrenergic receptor agonists is a characteristic feature of human asthma. This review summarizes data regarding the impact of chronic beta agonist stimulation, cytokines, prostanoids and other factors on beta-adrenergic responses in human airway smooth muscle, as well as the impact of polymorphisms of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor on these responses. Effects of beta-agonists on both airway smooth muscle relaxation and gene expression are considered. Understanding the regulation of beta-adrenergic responses in airway smooth muscle cells may prove to be an important step in improving the efficacy of beta-agonists for the treatment of asthma.
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta