Book Description

This timely volume brings together the latest basic and clinical insights on the cellular and mediator mechanisms involved in the induction and persistence of airway dysfunction of asthma by over 90 experts in the field-paving the way for developing novel and more effective antiinflammatory therapeutic agents and strategies. Furnishing a comprehensive and up-to-date view of the expanding and interrelated components underlying asthma pathogenesis, Inflammatory Mechanisms in Asthma describes how evidence on airway inflammation is obtained with invasive and noninvasive procedures, such as bronchoalveolar lavage and sputum analysis reviews the complex interactions of inflammatory cells that contribute to chronic inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity, including eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and macrophages considers mast cells, cytokines, neural factors, leukotrienes, kinins, and other mediators that regulate the development, establishment, or resolution of asthma exacerbations presents new information suggesting that airway changes in asthma can lead to remodeling or airway fibrosis and more! Enhanced with over 4700 references, tables, drawings, and photographs, this compelling investigation into the pathophysiology of asthma is an indispensable resource for pulmonologists, physiologists, immunologists, allergists, epidemiologists, biochemists, molecular biologists, and graduate and medical school students in these disciplines.