Airway remodeling in asthma

Abstract

Asthmatic airway remodeling is the pathophysiological modifications of the normal airway wall structure which include changes in the composition and organization of its cellular and molecular constituents. These modifications are the major cause of the symptoms associated with decreased pulmonary function. Airway remodeling is partially reversible in mild asthma but mostly irreversible in chronic severe asthma. It is initiated as a repair process in response to airway wall injuries caused by inflammation; however, dysregulation of this process leads to airway remodeling. In this review, we will summarize the most recent findings about the different structural changes in airways of asthmatics as well as mediators involved in this process. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.