Airway smooth muscle in asthma.
Airway smooth muscle plays a multifaceted role in the pathogenesis of asthma. We review the current understanding of the contribution of airway myocytes to airway inflammation, airway wall remodeling, and airflow obstruction in this prevalent disease syndrome. Together, these roles make airway smooth muscle an attractive target for asthma therapy.
Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. mhershen@med.umich.edu
Marc B
MB
Hershenson
Melanie
M
Brown
Blanca
B
Camoretti-Mercado
Julian
J
Solway
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*