What controls calcium homeostasis in human airway smooth muscle?

哮喘是英国工作日损失的主要原因：根据英国哮喘协会的数据，目前有520万人正在接受哮喘治疗。大多数症状是由气道狭窄引起的。气道狭窄的主要组成部分是由于气道壁中的肌肉（称为气道平滑肌）的收缩。这种收缩是由于肌细胞内的钙释放或钙进入肌细胞。这些反应背后的机制知之甚少。该项目将系统地定义负责这些过程的重要途径和信号分子。通过定义这些机制，设计新的哮喘治疗方法应该是可行的。我们还将更全面地了解哮喘发展的潜在机制。

Asthma is a major cause of lost working days in the UK: currently, according to Asthma UK 5.2 million are taking asthma treatment. The majority of symptoms are caused by narrowing of the airways. A major component of airway narrowing is due to contraction of the muscle (called airway smooth muscle) in the airway wall. This contraction is due to calcium release within the muscle cell or entry of calcium into the muscle cell. The mechanisms underlying these responses are poorly understood. This project will systematically define the important pathways and signalling molecules responsible for these processes. By defining these mechanisms, it should be feasible to design new treatments for asthma. We will also gain a fuller understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of asthma.