The respiratory mucosa is responsible for gas exchange and is therefore, of necessity,
exposed to airborne pathogens, allergens, and foreign particles. It has evolved a multi-
faceted, physical and immune defense system to ensure that in the majority of instances,
potentially injurious invaders are repelled. Inflammation, predominantly mediated by effector
cells of the granulocyte lineage including neutrophils and eosinophils, is a form of immune
defense. Where inflammation proves unable to remove an inciting stimulus, chronic …