Airway smooth muscle as a regulator of immune responses and bronchomotor tone

The biology of ASM is complex and fascinating. The myriad pathways regulating cell growth and proliferation, combined with the expanding understanding of the role of ASM as a modulator of inflammation, provide a rich area of investigation. Future studies will focus on mechanisms regulating acute inflammation and the chronic repair processes resulting in airway remodeling. These studies may provide the basis for the development of new therapeutic agents aimed at modulating the pathophysiological changes associated with asthma.