Fig. 1
From: Roles of airway smooth muscle dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
ASM dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of COPD. The pathogenesis of COPD has been divided into external and internal causes. Airway remodeling is a vital feature of COPD. Dysfunctions in ASM function are central to the pathogenesis of airway remodeling. Changes of ASM include alteration of contractility, inflammatory response, immunoreaction, phenotype, quantity and size