Pathophysiology Of COPD

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Pathophysiology of COPD COPD is a complex syndrome comprised of airway inflammation, mucociliary dysfunction and consequent airway structural changes.1 Airway inflammation COPD is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, lung tissue and pulmonary blood vessels as a result of exposure to inhaled irritants such as tobacco smoke. The inhaled irritants cause inflammatory cells such as neutrophils, CD8+ T-lymphocytes, B cells and macrophages to accumulate.2 When activated, these cells initiate an inflammatory cascade that triggers the release of inflammatory mediators such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), matrix-metalloproteinases (MMP-6, MMP-9), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukins…show more content…
Three main factors contribute to this: peribronchial fibrosis, build-up of scar tissue from damage to the airways and over-multiplication of the epithelial cells lining the airways.3,4 Parenchymal destruction is associated with loss of lung tissue elasticity, which occurs as a result of destruction of the structures supporting and feeding the alveoli (emphysema). This means that the small airways collapse during exhalation, impeding airflow, trapping air in the lungs and reducing lung capacity (Figure 2). Inflammatory cells__2 Figure 1: Inflammatory and immune cells involved in COPD.2 Adapted from Barnes, PJ. Nat Rev Immunol 2008;8:183-92 11grafik2 Figure 2: Airflow limitation in…show more content…
COPD, a multicomponent disease: implications for management. Respir Med 2005;99:670-82. 2.Barnes, PJ. Immunology of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nat Rev Immunol 2008;8:183-92. 3.Chung KF. The role of airway smooth muscle in the pathogenesis of airway remodelling in COPD. Proc Am Thorac Soc 2005;2:347-54. 4.Laperre TS, Sont JK, van Schadewijk A, et al. Smoking cessation and bronchial epithelial remodelling in COPD: a cross-sectional study. Respir Res 2007;8:85-93. 5.Danahay H & Jackson AD. Epithelial mucus-hypersecretion and respiratory disease. Curr Drug Targets Inflamm Allergy 2005;4:651-64. Risk factors for COPD Find out which risk factors are associated with COPD. Go Global.ContactUs Global.NeedInfo Global.Contact Global.FindThisPageInt Global.Colleague Global.Share.Page Read more Burden and prevalence of COPD Learn more about the impact of COPD globally and economically. Read more Inflammation in COPD Learn more about the central role of inflammation in COPD. Read more © Takeda, January 2012 Takeda Pharmaceuticals International GmbH, Thurgauerstrasse 130, 8152 Glattpark-Opfikon, Zurich, Switzerland,

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