TRPA1: An asthma target with a zing.

Asthma therapy has advanced remarkably; however, a significant number of patients respond poorly to current interventions. Balestrini et al. (2021. J. Exp. Med.https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20201637) advance the concept that sensory nerves control inflammation in asthma, demonstrating that a novel inhibitor of TRPA1, a nerve receptor for irritants and reactive endogenous mediators, suppresses inflammation and airway smooth muscle contraction in several preclinical species.
Competing Interests: Disclosures: S.-E. Jordt served on the scientific advisory board of Hydra Biosciences, a company developing TRP channel inhibitors for the treatment of pain and inflammation.
(© 2021 Jordt.)