COPD is promoted by age-related inflammatory processes

Study: Immune system has a major impact on the development of COPD, especially in aged lungs
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease in which inflammation attacks the respiratory tract. Typical symptoms include coughing with sputum and respiratory distress on exercise. Most commonly, smokers are affected by COPD. So far there is no causal treatment of the disease, but scientists from the Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC) at Helmholtz Zentrum München have now made progress in the development of the disease. Accordingly, age-related inflammatory processes play an essential role. The researchers hope that they will be able to derive new therapeutic options for COPD in the future.

COPD patients have a significantly increased number of immune cells in their lungs
In the development of COPD inflammatory processes in the lung tissue have a significant influence, which are mostly due to chronic exposure to toxic gases or particles such as cigarette smoke. Among other things, this leads to increased mucus formation, irritable cough and a loss of alveoli. Also, the immune system seems to play a major role in the development of the disease, as the number of immune cells in the lungs of COPD patients is significantly higher than in healthy people. In addition, the premature aging of the lung cells is considered as a factor influencing the development of COPD.

Inflammatory processes in old age favor COPD. (Image: psdesign1 / fotolia.com)

Dr. Gerrit John-Schuster, dr. Ali Önder Yildirim and Prof. Dr. med. Oliver Eickelberg examined the influence of the cells of the immune system on the development of lung disease. Using an animal model, they showed a connection between advancing age and increased inflammatory processes, especially with additional exposure of the lungs to cigarette smoke. "Our results show that age-related inflammatory changes play an important role in accelerated COPD development," says lead author John-Schuster.

"It is acknowledged that both aging and cigarette smoke favor the development of a smoker's lung. However, the mechanisms leading to this are completely unclear, "reports Yildirim, who led the study. "We were able to show for the first time that the immune response, especially in aged lungs, plays an essential role in the development of the disease. This gives us new directions for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. "(Ag)