Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects more than 300 million people worldwide. It is characterized by the tightening of muscles around the bronchi, causing breathing difficulty and increased airway mucus production. The study highlights the importance of mechanical bronchoconstriction, the constriction of the smooth muscle that surrounds the airway, in the pathobiology of asthma.
The research, conducted by scientists at King’s College London, reveals that cell overcrowding in the airways during an asthma attack leads to damage, inflammation, and mucus production, which are the hallmark features of asthma.