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Previous Volume 359:2062-2064 November 6, 2008 Number 19 Next

Ratko Djukanovi, M.D., and Stephan D. Gadola, M.D.

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways. This inflammation is accompanied by increased mucus production and an excessive propensity of the airway smooth musculature to contract in response to exogenous stimuli, a phenomenon that is termed airway hyperreactivity. It has long been speculated but not clearly shown that viruses are involved in the development of these diseases. Kim and colleagues¹ recently provided grist for this mill with their observation of chronic goblet-cell metaplasia and airway hyperreactivity in mice after virus infection.

According to the prevailing paradigm, major-histocompatibility-complex (MHC) class II–dependent CD4+ . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Source Information

From the Division of Infection, Inflammation and Repair, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom.

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