Airways remodelling in asthma: no doubt, no more?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways invariably associated with healing. Remodelling of the airways can be demonstrated by the activation of airways macrophages, the release of growth factors and fibrogenic cytokines, the activation of fibroblasts and myofibroblast, elastolysis and elastosynthesis, collagen deposition, increased synthesis and release of extracellular matrix components, and an increased mass of smooth muscle and mucous glands. However, the control of remodelling is still poorly understood.