RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Pathological networking: a new approach to understanding COPD JF Thorax JO Thorax FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society SP 733 OP 738 DO 10.1136/thx.2007.077768 VO 62 IS 8 A1 Ian Sabroe A1 Lisa C Parker A1 Peter M A Calverley A1 Steven K Dower A1 Moira K B Whyte YR 2007 UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/62/8/733.abstract AB Developing new treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is extremely challenging. This disease, chronic by definition, becomes apparent only after substantial—and probably irreversible—tissue damage has occurred. The observable phenotype is of a stable disease state whose progression is hard to influence and reversal of which appears almost impossible. Identifying key components of the pathological process, targeting of which will result in substantial clinical benefit, is a significant challenge. In this review the nature of the disease is examined and conceptual information and simple tissue models of inflammation are used to explore the pathological network that is COPD. From the concept of COPD as a disease network displaying the features of contiguous immunity (in which many processes of innate and adaptive immunity are in continual dialogue and evolution), refinements are suggested to the strategies aimed at developing effective new treatments for this disease.