Mast cell regulation of airway smooth muscle function in asthma

Abstract

In summary, the location of mast cells within the airway smooth muscle bundles is likely to be important for the pathophysiology of asthma and may occur in response to, with subsequent aggravation of, an underlying abnormality in the behaviour of asthmatic airway smooth muscle. Understanding the consequences of this cellular interaction through the type of study by CHHABRA et al. [47] may offer new approaches to the treatment of this common and chronic disease. Copyright © ERS Journals Ltd 2007.