Smoking cessation and bronchial epithelial remodelling in COPD: a cross-sectional study

  • Therese S. Lapperre*
  • , Jacob K. Sont
  • , Annemarie van Schadewijk
  • , Margot Gosman
  • , Ingeborg M. Bajema
  • , Wim Timens
  • , Thais Mauad
  • , Pieter S. Hiemstra
  • , H. F. Kauffman
  • , H. M. Boezen
  • , D. F. Jansen
  • , J. Vonk
  • , M. D. W. Barentsen
  • , M. Zeinstra-Smit
  • , A. J. Luteijn
  • , T. van der Molen
  • , G. ter Veen
  • , N. H. T. ten Hacken
  • , H. A. M. Kerstjens
  • , M. S. van Maaren
  • D. S. Postma, C. A. Veltman, A. Verbokkem, I. Verhage, H. K. Vink-Kloosters, J. B. Snoeck-Stroband, H. Thiadens, J. K. Sont, J. Gast-Strookman, P. S. Hiemstra, K. Janssen, T. S. Lapperre, K. F. Rabe, A. van Schadewijk, J. A. Schrumpf, J. Smit-Bakker, J. Stolk, A. C. J. A. Tire, H. van der Veen, M. M. E. Wijffels, L. N. A. Willems, P. J. Sterk, T. Mauad, GLUCOLD Study Grp, D. de Reus
*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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364 Downloads (Pure)

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 languageEnglish
Article number85
Number of pages9
JournalRespiratory Research
Volume8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 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

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