Journal Article

Immunologic Aspects of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Agusti, Alvar, Cosio, Manuel G, Saetta, Marina

2009

Overview

This review is an account of how pulmonary damage caused by cigarette smoke and other environmental toxins can incite inflammatory and immunologic reactions that culminate in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The authors present evidence that autoimmunity has a role in the development of COPD. This review is an account of how pulmonary damage caused by cigarette smoke and other environmental toxins can incite inflammatory and immunologic reactions that culminate in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The authors present evidence that autoimmunity has a role in the development of COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of illness and death throughout the world. It affects about 10% of the general population, 1 but its prevalence among heavy smokers can reach 50%. 2 COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in most industrialized countries, and it is projected to be the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2020. 1 Tobacco smoking is the primary risk factor for the development of COPD, but other factors, such as burning biomass fuels for cooking and heating, are important causes of COPD in many developing countries. 3 , 4 A principal feature of COPD is . . .

• Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
• Subject: Autoimmunity / Biological and medical sciences / General aspects / Humans / Immunity, Innate / Lung - immunology / Lung - pathology / Lymphocyte Activation / Medical sciences / Nicotiana - adverse effects / Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - immunology / Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - pathology / Smoke - adverse effects / Smoking - adverse effects / Smoking - immunology / T-Lymphocytes - physiology