Journal
CURRENT OPINION IN PHARMACOLOGY
Volume 13, Issue 3, Pages 316-323Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2013.04.004
Keywords
-
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Acetylcholine has traditionally only been regarded as a neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, causing bronchoconstriction and mucus secretion in asthma and COPD by muscarinic receptor activation on airway smooth muscle and mucus-producing cells. Recent studies in experimental models indicate that muscarinic receptor stimulation in the airways also induces pro-inflammatory, pro-proliferative and pro-fibrotic effects, which may involve activation of airway structural and inflammatory cells by neuronal as well as non-neuronal acetylcholine. In addition, mechanical changes caused by muscarinic agonist-induced bronchoconstriction may be involved in airway remodeling. Crosstalk between muscarinic receptors and beta(2)-adrenoceptors on airway smooth muscle causes a reduced bronchodilator response to beta(2)-agonists, and a similar mechanism could possibly apply to the poor inhibition of inflammatory and remodeling processes by these drugs. Collectively, these findings provide novel perspectives for muscarinic receptor antagonists in asthma and COPD, since these drugs may not only acutely affect cholinergic airways obstruction, but also have important beneficial effects on beta(2)-agonist responsiveness, airway inflammation and remodeling. The clinical relevance of these findings is presently under investigation and starting to emerge.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available