BIOCHEMISTRY OF ASTHMA

Asthma is a chronic condition of the airways that involves many types of inflammatory cell and the release of many mediators and neurotransmitters that have multiple effects on the various target cells in the airway. There have been important advances in understanding the biochemical events involved in signal transduction in inflammatory cells, in mediator synthesis and release, in contraction and relaxation of airway smooth muscle and in neural mechanisms. This may lead to more effective and specific therapies for this common but complex disease.