Abstract:

In recent years, the prevalence of bronchial asthma (asthma for short) is increasing globally. Thus, more thorough and broad studies on pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of asthma have been carried out. Identified ion channels that are associated with asthma include Ca2+ channels, K+ channels, epithelial sodium channels, acid-sensing ion channels, and transient receptor potential channels, etc. In this review we present research progresses of pathogenesis of asthma and the prospect of applying different ion channels as therapeutic targets of asthma.

Key words: ion channels; , bronchial asthma; , bronchial smooth muscle spasm, allergic airway inflammation