Airway smooth muscle excitation-contraction coupling and airway hyperresponsiveness1

The primary complaints from patients with asthma pertain to function of airway smooth muscle (ASM) function including shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Thus, it is imperative to better understand the mechanisms underlying excitation-contraction coupling in ASM. Here, we review the various...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology 2005-08, Vol.83 (8/9), p.725
Main Authors: Hirota, Simon, Helli, Peter B, Catalli, Adriana, Chew, Allyson, Janssen, Luke J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asthma
Calcium
Daniel, Edwin E
Muscles
Respiration
Veins & arteries
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The primary complaints from patients with asthma pertain to function of airway smooth muscle (ASM) function including shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Thus, it is imperative to better understand the mechanisms underlying excitation-contraction coupling in ASM. Here, we review the various signaling pathways underlying contraction in ASM, and then examine how these are altered in asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness (a hallmark feature of asthma). Throughout, we highlight how studies of vascular smooth muscle have helped or hindered progress in understanding ASM physiology and pathophysiology.
ISSN:0008-4212
1205-7541