Fig. (5) Schematic presentation of the proposed central role of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell in airway wall remodeling. Due to predisposition (intrinsic) and/or environmental (acquired) cues (allergens, hypoxia), ASM cells of patients with asthma are “primed” to release abnormal levels of remodeling factors (angiogenic and growthfactors, as well as cytokines and chemokines).