Mechanisms of asthma

Curr Opin Pulm Med. 1997 Jan;3(1):10-6. doi: 10.1097/00063198-199701000-00003.

Abstract

Understanding of the mechanisms of asthma has progressed in three areas: the genetics of asthma, the role of nitric oxide in asthma, and the role of neurokinins in asthma. Genes encoding for the high affinity IgE receptor, the beta 2-adrenergic receptor, and interleukin-4 have been linked to clinical characteristics of asthma. Exhaled nitric oxide may be a useful clinical marker for airway inflammation in asthma. Tachykinin receptors are present in human lung and may be differentially expressed in individuals with asthma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Asthma / genetics
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / physiopathology*
  • Bronchi / metabolism
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropeptides / physiology
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / genetics
  • Receptors, IgE / genetics
  • Receptors, Tachykinin / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Neuropeptides
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Receptors, IgE
  • Receptors, Tachykinin
  • Interleukin-4
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase