Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Bronchial biopsy specimens from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients demonstrate increased numbers of CD8+ T-lymphocytes, macrophages and, in some studies, neutrophils and eosinophils. Smoking cessation affects the rate of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) decline in COPD, but the effect on inflammation is uncertain. Bronchial biopsy inflammatory cell counts were compared in current and ex-smokers with COPD. A pooled analysis of subepithelial inflammatory cell count data from three bronchial biopsy studies that included COPD patients who were either current or ex-smokers was performed. Cell count data from 101 subjects, 65 current smokers and 36 ex-smokers, were analysed for the following cell types: CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, CD68+ (monocytes/macrophages), neutrophil elastase+ (neutrophils), EG2+ (eosinophils), mast cell tryptase+ and cells mRNA-positive for tumour necrosis factor-alpha. Current smokers and ex-smokers were similar in terms of lung function, as measured by FEV(1) (% predicted), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV(1)/FVC. The results demonstrate that there were no significant differences between smokers and ex-smokers in the numbers of any of the inflammatory cell types or markers analysed. It is concluded that, in established chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the bronchial mucosal inflammatory cell infiltrate is similar in ex-smokers and those that continue to smoke.

Original publication

DOI

10.1183/09031936.00013006

Type

Journal article

Journal

Eur Respir J

Publication Date

09/2007

Volume

30

Pages

467 - 471

Keywords

Adult, Aged, Antigens, CD, Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic, Biopsy, Bronchi, CD4 Lymphocyte Count, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Eosinophil Granule Proteins, Eosinophils, Female, Forced Expiratory Volume, Humans, Leukocyte Count, Leukocyte Elastase, Lymphocyte Count, Macrophages, Male, Middle Aged, Monocytes, Neutrophils, Respiratory Mucosa, Smoking, Smoking Cessation, Tryptases, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Vital Capacity