If asthma-associated acute bronchoconstriction is caused by activation of the carotid bodies by LPA released from an allergen-challenged asthmatic lung, (a) the arterial concentration of LPA should increase significantly during acute inflammation and (b) the plasma from asthmatic rats should stimulate an isolated carotid body in a TRPV1 and LPA receptor dependent fashion. This evidence concerns the gene TRPV1 and asthma.