Keywords:
Asthma; bronchoconstriction; chorioamnionitis; inflammation; acetylcholine;
muscle contraction; pregnancy; pregnancy complication; prematurity; smooth muscle
Abstract:
Abnormalities of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) layer in asthma may develop before birth. We hypothesize that antenatal inflammation causes physiological abnormalities of the ASM that predisposes asthma. This study determined the short-term effects of antenatal inflammation on the developing ASM.