Airway Smooth Muscle Contribution To Remodelling In Asthma.

Funder

National Health and Medical Research Council

Funding Amount

$211,320.00

Summary

Asthma is an airway disease that affects more than 10% of adults and 25% of children in Australia and in 1998 caused 675 deaths. The cost to the community is in excess of $720 million a year. The abnormality in asthma is not fully understood, however inflammation, changes to the structure of the airways and excessive airway narrowing are key factors. Inflammation and the allergic reactions which accompany asthma cause fluid to leak from tiny blood vessels in the lung. This fluid and the inflamma .... Asthma is an airway disease that affects more than 10% of adults and 25% of children in Australia and in 1998 caused 675 deaths. The cost to the community is in excess of $720 million a year. The abnormality in asthma is not fully understood, however inflammation, changes to the structure of the airways and excessive airway narrowing are key factors. Inflammation and the allergic reactions which accompany asthma cause fluid to leak from tiny blood vessels in the lung. This fluid and the inflammation are linked to changes in the airway which include structural protein deposition - breakdown and an overgrowth of the smooth muscle that lines the walls of the airway. Our work is focussed on understanding the relationship between the structural protein deposition - breakdown and excess muscle growth. We also hope to gain a better understanding of the way asthma treatments combat these changes in the asthmatic airways.
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