Role of inflammatory cells in airway remodeling in COPD

Abstract

COPD is characterized by chronic bronchitis, chronic airway obstruction, and emphysema, leading to a progressive and irreversible decline in lung function. Inflammation is central for the development of COPD. Chronic inflammation in COPD mainly involves the infiltration of neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, and other inflammatory cells into the small airways. The contribution of resident airway structural cells to the inflammatory process is also important in COPD. Airway remodeling consists of detrimental changes in structural tissues and cells including airway wall thickening, epithelial metaplasia, goblet cell hypertrophy, and smooth muscle hyperplasia. Persistent airway inflammation might contribute to airway remodeling and small airway obstruction. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this review, we will provide an overview of recent insights into the role of major immunoinflammatory cells in COPD airway remodeling.

Keywords:

• COPD
• airway inflammation
• airway remodeling

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants 81070025 and 81470237), the Jiangsu Health Promotion Project, and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (Grant JX10231802). Research by IMA is also supported by the NIHR Biomedical Research Center at Imperial College London.

Disclosure

IMA is supported by the MRC (G1001367/1) and the Wellcome Trust (093080/Z/10/Z). The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.