Inter‐relationships between airway inflammation, reticular basement membrane thickening and bronchial hyper‐reactivity to methacholine in asthma; a systematic bronchoalveolar lavage and airway biopsy analysis

Abstract

We provide new information that airway inflammation, remodelling, and BHR in asthma are inter-related and improved by ICS therapy. Our data potentially support the need for early and long-term intervention with ICS even in relatively mild asthmatics, and the need to further assess the potential merit of longitudinal BHR testing in management of some patients, as this may reflect both airway inflammation and remodelling.