NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE UNDERSTANDING OF ASTHMA

The prevalence of asthma is increasing, despite better understanding o f its pathogenesis and improved treatments. During the past 10 years, the perception of asthma has shifted from a disease primarily characte rized by altered smooth muscle function to one mainly characterized by chronic inflammation. This article reviews the evidence supporting th e relationship of inflammation in both the upper and lower airways, fo cusing on intermittent seasonal disease as well as on the more chronic and severe forms of asthma, including that associated with aspirin in tolerance, It also presents evidence to support a pivotal role for the epithelial cell, together with the mast cell and the eosinophil, in i nitiating and maintaining inflammation in the upper and lower airways.