Document Detail


COPD and the response of the lung to tobacco smoke exposure.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20382250     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major cause of death in the western world and increasing in prevalence in developing countries. COPD is characterised by irreversible airflow obstruction, loss of lung tissue, reduced quality of life and high rates of mortality. The major cause of COPD is tobacco smoke. The changes in the innate immune system directed by tobacco smoke exposure lead to a pronounced and chronic inflammation in the lung. This in turn leads to other pathological changes including remodelling and destruction of lung tissue. Tobacco smoke exposure also leads to infection of the lung by bacteria and viruses. These, bacteria, viruses and co-infection are key triggers of acute worsening's of COPD termed exacerbations. COPD exacerbations are an additional major factor in the morbidity and mortality within COPD and are also the major healthcare costs associated with the disease. Within this review we discuss the response of the immune system to cigarette smoke exposure and inappropriate harmful responses. Successful treatment strategies will need to balance the positive effects of reducing inflammatory aspects of the disease whilst retaining some of the needed immune responses triggered by tobacco smoke exposure.
Authors:
John D Taylor
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review     Date:  2010-04-09
Journal Detail:
Title:  Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics     Volume:  23     ISSN:  1522-9629     ISO Abbreviation:  Pulm Pharmacol Ther     Publication Date:  2010 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-08-11     Completed Date:  2010-12-08     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9715279     Medline TA:  Pulm Pharmacol Ther     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  376-83     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Integrative Pharmacology, Biosciences R&D Lung, Respiratory & Inflammation Research Area, AstraZeneca, Lund, Sweden. john.d.taylor@astrazeneca.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Humans
Lung / physiopathology*
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / etiology*,  physiopathology
Risk Factors
Smoking / adverse effects*
Tobacco Smoke Pollution / adverse effects*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Tobacco Smoke Pollution

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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