Immune system dysregulation in chronic lung disease.

C hronic lung diseases (CLDs), including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension, present a significant and rising global health problem. CLDs develop at the interface between genetic susceptibilities and environmental aspects, and are currently the second leading cause of death worldwide. Thus far, therapies of only limited effect exist for CLDs; the search for novel and effective therapeutic strategies has been at the centre of recent major research efforts. As part of the pathogenesis of many CLDs, ill-defined lung injuries and failed repair mechanisms ultimately lead to perturbed lung architecture that is incompatible with normal respiratory function. In particular, the immunological mechanisms that initiate and maintain CLD remain to be fully unravelled.