Vitamin D modulates airway smooth muscle function

Abstract

Asthma is a disease that manifests as variable air fl ow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway in fl ammation, and that evokes symptoms of wheezing, dyspnea on exertion, cough, and mucus production. Airway smooth muscle (ASM cells) plays a central role in the asthma diathesis and is implicated in all aspects of asthma pathogenesis. Vitamin D de fi ciency has been associated with asthma and studies suggest a role for vitamin D as a treatment for asthma. In this chapter, we review the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D on ASM cells function, including agonist-induced shortening, secretion of in fl ammatory mediators, and myocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia.