The mode of action of anticholinergics in asthma
- 1University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- 2University Medical Research LLC, St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
- Professor Reinoud Gosens, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands. E-mail: r.gosens{at}rug.nl
Abstract
Acetylcholine binds to muscarinic receptors to play a key role in the pathophysiology of asthma, leading to bronchoconstriction, increased mucus secretion, inflammation and airway remodelling. Anticholinergics are muscarinic receptor antagonists that are used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Recent in vivo and in vitro data have increased our understanding of how acetylcholine contributes to the disease manifestations of asthma, as well as elucidating the mechanism of action of anticholinergics. This review assesses the latest literature on acetylcholine in asthma pathophysiology, with a closer look at their role in airway inflammation and remodelling. New insights into the mechanism of action of anticholinergics, their effects on airway remodelling, and a review of the efficacy and safety of long-acting anticholinergics in asthma treatment will also be covered, including a summary of the latest clinical trial data.
Abstract
Preclinical data suggest that anticholinergics can reduce acetylcholine-induced airway inflammation and remodelling.
Footnotes
This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal. It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Gosens reports grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, grants from Chiesi , grants from Aquilo, grants from Novartis, other from Boehringer Ingelheim, during the conduct of the study.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Gross reports non-financial support and other from Boehringer Ingelheim, during the conduct of the study.
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