Leukocyte function in COPD: clinical relevance and potential for drug therapy.
File(s)
Author(s)
Baker, Jonathan R
Donnelly, Louise E
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition affecting 10% of the global population over 45 years. Currently, there are no disease-modifying treatments, with current therapies treating only the symptoms of the disease. COPD is an inflammatory disease, with a high infiltration of leukocytes being found within the lung of COPD patients. These leukocytes, if not kept in check, damage the lung, leading to the pathophysiology associated with the disease. In this review, we focus on the main leukocytes found within the COPD lung, describing how the release of chemokines from the damaged epithelial lining recruits these cells into the lung. Once present, these cells become active and may be driven towards a more pro-inflammatory phenotype. These cells release their own subtypes of inflammatory mediators, growth factors and proteases which can all lead to airway remodeling, mucus hypersecretion and emphysema. Finally, we describe some of the current therapies and potential new targets that could be utilized to target aberrant leukocyte function in the COPD lung. Here, we focus on old therapies such as statins and corticosteroids, but also look at the emerging field of biologics describing those which have been tested in COPD already and potential new monoclonal antibodies which are under review.
Date Issued
2021-07-30
Date Acceptance
2021-07-19
Citation
The International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 2021, 16, pp.2227-2242
ISSN
1176-9106
Publisher
Dove Medical Press
Start Page
2227
End Page
2242
Journal / Book Title
The International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Volume
16
Copyright Statement
© 2021 Baker and Donnelly. This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/
terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing
the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed.
For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms (https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php).
terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing
the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed.
For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms (https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34354348
PII: 266394
Subjects
CD8+ T cell
eosinophil
macrophage
mast cell
neutrophil
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
New Zealand
Date Publish Online
2021-07-30