title: Molecular mechanisms underlying airway smooth muscle contraction and proliferation: implications for asthma.
abstract: Airway smooth muscle (ASM) plays a key role in bronchomotor tone, as well as in structural remodeling of the bronchial wall. Therefore, ASM contraction and proliferation significantly participate in the development and progression of asthma. Many contractile agonists also behave as mitogenic stimuli, thus contributing to frame a hyperresponsive and hyperplastic ASM phenotype. In this review, the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in excitation-contraction coupling and ASM cell growth will be outlined. Indeed, the recent advances in understanding the basic aspects of ASM biology are disclosing important cellular targets, currently explored for the implementation of new, more effective anti-asthma therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Girolamo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pelaia
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Renda
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallelli
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vatrella
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Busceti
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agati
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caputi
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzola
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maselli
authors.forename: Serafino A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Marsico
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016084:Bronchoconstriction; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D002118:Calcium