Sample Collections From the Airways of Asthmatic Patients

This tissue procurement protocol proposes to perform bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial brushings, and bronchial wall biopsies, as well as to collect samples of sputum, exhaled breath condensates and blood, in order to evaluate the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and airway remodeling in asthmatic subjects.