Mast-Cell Infiltration of Airway Smooth Muscle in Asthma

Asthma and eosinophilic bronchitis are characterized by similar inflammatory infiltrates in the submucosa of the lower airway. However, eosinophilic bronchitis differs from asthma in that there is no variable airflow obstruction or airway hyperresponsiveness in the former condition. We tested the hypothesis that there were differences between the two conditions in the microlocalization of mast cells within the airway smooth muscle.

Immunohistochemical analysis of bronchial-biopsy specimens was completed in 17 subjects with asthma, 13 subjects with eosinophilic bronchitis, and 11 normal controls recruited from two centers.