Asthma is characterized in part by reversible airflow obstruction, hyperresponsiveness, and
inflammation. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes chronic bronchitis,
emphysema, and possibly bronchiectasis, is defined as predominantly irreversible airflow
obstruction associated with abnormal airway inflammation. Traditional concepts concerning
airway inflammation have focused on trafficking leukocytes and on the effects of
inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and chemokines secreted by these cells. Airway smooth …