Mechanistic Insights From Bronchoscopy Airway Samples

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy Controls
• Male and female subjects between the ages of 18 and 70 years
• Ability to provide written informed consent and ability to comply with the requirements of the study
• No hyperreactivity to methacholine (PC20 FEV1 Methacholine \>16 mg/mL)
• No history of allergic rhinitis/seasonal allergies
• Asthmatics
• Male and female subjects between the ages of 18 and 70 years
• Ability to provide written informed consent and ability to comply with the requirements of the study
• History of asthma
• No use of oral or inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of asthma during the past 6 weeks
• Hyperreactivity to methacholine (PC20 FEV1 Methacholine \< 8 mg/ml)

Exclusion criteria

• The same exclusion criteria will apply to both Sub-studies.
• 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
• Pregnant, breastfeeding, or unwilling to practice birth control during participation in the study
• Subjects with a history of lung disease other than asthma
• Subjects with a history of prior esophageal hernia surgery
• 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
• Current participation in an investigational drug trial
• Prohibited Medications and Treatments The following medications are prohibited during the study and must be discontinued prior to enrollment for the amount of time specified below.
• Astemizole: 12 weeks
• Steroids (oral, inhaled or nasal): 6 weeks
• Nedocromil sodium, sodium cromoglycate: 4 weeks
• Long-acting methylxantines: 2 days
• Short-acting methylxantines: 12 hours
• Montelukast: 7 days
• Zafirlukast: 7 days
• Salmeterol: 2 days
• Omalizumab: 6 months
• Medications to be withheld prior to bronchoscopy: Aspirin or Non- steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) for 2 days Medications to be withheld before each clinic visit: Short-acting bronchodilators (e.g. Albuterol) for 6 hours; Short-acting anti- cholinergics (e.g. Atrovent, Combivent) for 8 hours; and antihistamines (e.g. Benadryl, Claritin) for 3 days.