Airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells have been shown to play an important role in bronchial asthma. As the research progresses, the mechanism becomes more and more complex. This chapter reviews the role of ASM in asthma pathological mechanisms including inflammatory reaction, extracellular matrix proteins, cell contraction, cell structure, neuromodulation, airway remodeling, apoptosis, autophagy, miRNA, mitochondria, etc. In brief, ASM is similar to a “processing station.” It is not only affected by various signals in the body to produce biological effects and secrete various signals to act on downstream target cells but also feeds back to the upstream pathways or receives feedback from downstream pathways to form a complex network. The results summarized in this chapter are expected to provide new targets for the clinical treatment of asthma.
Part of the book: Asthma