Targeting abnormal airway vascularity as a therapeutical strategy in asthma.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of airways, characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and airflow limitation with acute bronchoconstriction, swelling of the airway wall, chronic mucus plug formation and airway wall remodelling. Functional and structural changes in the vasculature of asthmatic airways have been documented, and the signalling mechanisms are complex and have recently attracted much attention. The vascular changes may affect inflammatory cell recruitment, airway hyperresponsiveness and the regulation of airway calibre, and further, the level of disease control. Many critical factors are involved in the pathophysiological regulation of vascular changes in bronchial asthma, and the actions of these factors must be very carefully orchestrated. By better understanding the complicated actions of each factor, we may be able to advance further in asthma treatment.