Mechanisms of bronchial hyperresponsiveness: the interaction of endothelin-1 and other cytokines.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is a fundamental characteristic of asthma and has become part of a more recent definition of asthma. Data show a close link between bronchial hyperresponsiveness (both transient and persistent) and airway inflammation. Airway inflammation is orchestrated by a complex network of cytokines. It has been considered that endothelin-1 is involved in bronchoconstriction and airway structural remodelling and has several pro-inflammatory properties of potential relevance to asthma. We focus on endothelin-1, its activities and interaction with other cytokines in the pathogenesis of asthma.