Publication
Title
Relation between duration of smoking cessation and bronchial inflammation in COPD
Author
Institution/Organisation
GLUCOLD Study Grp
Abstract
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with airway inflammation. Although smoking cessation improves symptoms and the decline in lung function in COPD, it is unknown whether bronchial inflammation in patients with established COPD varies with the duration of smoking cessation. Methods: 11 4 patients (99 men) with COPD of mean (SD) age 62 (8) years, a median (IQR) smoking history of 42 (31-55) pack years, no inhaled or oral corticosteroids, all current or ex-smokers (n=42, quit > 1 month, median cessation duration 3.5 years), post-bronchodilator FEV1 63 (9)% predicted, and FEV1/IVC 48 (9)% were studied cross sectionally. The numbers of subepithelial T lymphocytes (CD3, CD4 CD8), neutrophils, macrophages, eosinophils, mast cells, and plasma cells were measured in bronchial biopsy specimens (median (IQR)/0.1 mm(2)) using fully automated image analysis. Results: Ex-smokers with COPD had higher CD3+, CD4+, and plasma cell numbers than current smokers =0.023 and 9.0 with COPD (149 (88-225) v 108 (61-164), p =0.036; 58 (32-90) v 40 (25-66), p = 0.023; and 9.0 (5.5-20) v 7.5 (3.1-14), p=0.044, respectively), but no difference in other inflammatory cells. Short term ex-smokers (<3.5 years) had higher CD4+ and CD8+ cell numbers than current smokers (p=0.017, p=0.023; respectively). Conversely, long term ex-smokers (quit >= 3.5 years) had lower CD8+ cell numbers than short term ex-smokers (p=0.009), lower CD8/CD3 ratios than both current smokers and short-term ex-smokers (p=0.012, p=0.003; respectively), and higher plasma cell numbers than current smokers (p=0.003). Conclusions: With longer duration of smoking cessation, CD8 cell numbers decrease and plasma cell numbers increase. This indicates that bronchial T lymphocyte and plasma cell counts, but not other inflammatory cells, are related to duration of smoking cessation in patients with COPD.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Thorax. - London
Publication
London : 2006
ISSN
0040-6376
DOI
10.1136/THX.2005.040519
Volume/pages
61 :2 (2006) , p. 115-121
ISI
000235289800008
Pubmed ID
16055612
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 29.10.2020
Last edited 19.11.2024
To cite this reference