Abstract
Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD) is associated with bronchial epithelial changes, including squamous cell metaplasia and goblet cell hyperplasia. These features are partially attributed to activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR). Whereas smoking cessation reduces respiratory symptoms and lung function decline in COPD, inflammation persists. We determined epithelial proliferation and composition in bronchial biopsies from current and ex-smokers with COPD, and its relation to duration of smoking cessation.
Methods: 114 COPD patients were studied cross-sectionally: 99 males/15 females, age 62 +/- 8 years, median 42 pack-years, no corticosteroids, current (n = 72) or ex-smokers ( n = 42, median cessation duration 3.5 years), postbronchodilator FEV 63 +/- 9% predicted. Squamous cell metaplasia (%), goblet cell ( PAS/Alcian Blue(+)) area (%), proliferating (Ki- 67(+)) cell numbers (/mm basement membrane), and EGFR expression (%) were measured in intact epithelium of bronchial biopsies.
Results: Ex-smokers with COPD had significantly less epithelial squamous cell metaplasia, proliferating cell numbers, and a trend towards reduced goblet cell area than current smokers with COPD ( p = 0.025, p = 0.001, p = 0.081, respectively), but no significant difference in EGFR expression. Epithelial features were not different between short-term quitters (
Conclusion: Ex-smokers with COPD had less bronchial epithelial remodelling than current smokers, which was only observed after long-term smoking cessation (>3.5 years).
Original language | English |
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Article number | 85 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Respiratory Research |
Volume | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 26-Nov-2007 |
Keywords
- OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY-DISEASE
- GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR
- CHRONIC MUCUS HYPERSECRETION
- HUMAN NEUTROPHIL DEFENSINS
- AIR-FLOW OBSTRUCTION
- CURRENT SMOKERS
- LUNG HEALTH
- PERIPHERAL AIRWAYS
- GOBLET CELL
- EX-SMOKERS