COPD Pathogenesis

Update Pathogenesis of COPD

Pathogenesis of COPD (printer-friendly)

and Introduction

PATHOGENESIS OF COPD Airway Remodeling

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease associated with progressive airflow obstruction. Tobacco smoking is the main risk factor worldwide. In contrast to asthma, antiinflammatory therapies are rather ineffective in improving chronic symptoms and reducing inflammation, lung function decline, and airway remodeling. Specific drugs that are directed agai...

Macrophages and the pathogenesis of COPD.

Macrophages are long-lived effector cells within the lung. They are reactive, responding to endogenous and exogenous stimuli, as well as proactive, producing mediators that modulate the behavior of surrounding cells. In addition, they play a critical role in the clearance of apoptotic neutrophils. Their role in COPD probably reflects a number of functional properties. However, if the link betwe...

Neutrophils and the pathogenesis of COPD.

T he polymorphonuclear leukocyte is a key effector cell of the secondary host defense system. This cell, however, also has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic lung disease for 30 years. The association dates to an observation in 1963 that severe early-onset emphysema was associated with deficiency in 1-antitrypsin ( 1-AT). The recognition that 1-AT was a serum protein that functioned...