Molecular mediators of asthma: current insights.

With advances in molecular biology, the complex inflammatory events that underlie asthma are being unraveled. The players are diverse, involving two populations each of mast cells and helper T cells, eosinophils, bronchial endothelial and epithelial cells, and an array of vasoactive and bronchoactive mediators. The clinical message is already clear: Treat the inflammation early.