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Mechanisms of bronchial hyperresponsiveness: The interaction of endothelin‐1 and other cytokines
Author(s) -
Xu Jun,
Zhong Shan
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1843.1999.00214.x
Subject(s) - medicine , bronchoconstriction , asthma , bronchial hyperresponsiveness , airway hyperresponsiveness , immunology , pathogenesis , inflammation , respiratory disease , lung
Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is a fundamental characteristic of asthma and has become part of a more recent definition of asthma. Data show a close link between bronchial hyperresponsiviness (both transient and persistent) and airway inflammation. Airway inflammation is orchestrated by a complex network of cytokines. It has been considered that endothelin‐1 is involved in bronchoconstriction and airway structural remodelling and has several pro‐inflammatory properties of potential relevance to asthma. We focus on endothelin‐1, its activities and interaction with other cytokines in the pathogenesis of asthma.