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Immunologic Aspects of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ($$) 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of illness and death throughout the world. It affects about 10% of the general population,1 but its prevalence among heavy smokers can reach 50%.2 COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in most industrialized countries, and it is projected to be the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2020.1 Tobacco smoking is the primary risk factor for the development of COPD, but other factors, such as burning biomass fuels for cooking and heating, are important causes of COPD in many developing countries.3,4

A principal feature of COPD is a . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Mechanisms Leading to COPD

Step 1 -- Initial Response to Cigarette Smoke

Step 2 -- T-Cell Activation and Proliferation

Step 3 -- Adaptive Immune Reaction

Evidence of Autoimmunity in COPD

Why Some Smokers Evade COPD

Conclusions

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