Mechanistic Insights From Bronchoscopy Airway Samples

Eligibility Criteria

• * Healthy Controls
• 1. Male and female subjects between the ages of 18 and 70 years
• 2. Ability to provide written informed consent and ability to comply with the requirements of the study
• 3. No hyperreactivity to methacholine (PC20 FEV1 Methacholine \>16 mg/mL)
• 4. No history of allergic rhinitis/seasonal allergies
• * Asthmatics
• 1. Male and female subjects between the ages of 18 and 70 years
• 2. Ability to provide written informed consent and ability to comply with the requirements of the study
• 3. History of asthma
• 4. No use of oral or inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of asthma during the past 6 weeks
• 5. Hyperreactivity to methacholine (PC20 FEV1 Methacholine \< 8 mg/ml)
• 1. Current smokers, defined by (a) \>5 cigarettes smoked in past 12 months, and (b) ≤ 8 weeks since last time smoking; or former smokers who have a total smoking history
• * 10 pack-years
• 2. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or unwilling to practice birth control during participation in the study
• 3. Subjects with a history of lung disease other than asthma
• 4. Subjects with a history of prior esophageal hernia surgery
• 5. Subjects with a history of a medical disease, which in the opinion of the Investigator may put the subject at extra risk from study-related procedures or because the disease may influence the results of the study
• 6. Current participation in an investigational drug trial
• 1. Astemizole: 12 weeks
• 2. Steroids (oral, inhaled or nasal): 6 weeks
• 3. Nedocromil sodium, sodium cromoglycate: 4 weeks
• 4. Long-acting methylxantines: 2 days
• 5. Short-acting methylxantines: 12 hours
• 6. Montelukast: 7 days
• 7. Zafirlukast: 7 days
• 8. Salmeterol: 2 days
• 9. Omalizumab: 6 months