Contractile Properties of Intrapulmonary Airway Smooth Muscle in Cystic Fibrosis

What is it about?

In the current study, we explored airway smooth muscle (ASM) mechanics with a view to addressing potential mechanisms of airway hyperresponsiveness that might account for the frequently observed asthma syndrome complicating CF disease. Our study demonstrates that, in the presence of inflammatory mediators, CF ASM becomes hypercontractile. In addition to the greater ASM mass that has the potential to generate a greater force of bronchoconstriction, inflammatory mediators such as IL-13, impede its β-adrenergic relaxation.

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