Which of the following is not a traditional component of airway remodeling described in asthma?

• A. Fibrosis
• B. Hypertrophy
• C. Hyperplasia
• D. Edema

Answer: (D)

Airway remodeling in asthma refers to lasting structural changes in the airway wall that stiffen and narrow the airways, such as subepithelial fibrosis with basement membrane thickening, increased airway smooth muscle mass from hypertrophy and hyperplasia, and goblet cell hyperplasia with mucus production. These are architectural alterations that persist and contribute to chronic obstruction. Edema, on the other hand, is fluid accumulation from acute inflammatory responses and vascular leakage. While edema can occur during asthma exacerbations, it is not a fixed, structural remodeling change of the airway wall. Therefore edema is not considered a traditional component of airway remodeling, whereas fibrosis, hypertrophy, and hyperplasia are.