PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Rachel Dancer
AU  - David M Sansom
TI  - Regulatory T cells and COPD
AID  - 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-203878
DP  - 2013 Dec 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 1176--1178
VI  - 68
IP  - 12
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/68/12/1176.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/68/12/1176.full
SO  - Thorax2013 Dec 01; 68
AB  - While the innate immune system has long been implicated in the pathogenesis of COPD, a role for the acquired immune system is less well studied. The increasing recognition that COPD shares features with autoimmune disease has led to interest in a potential role for regulatory T cells, which are intimately involved in the control of autoimmunity. The suggestion that regulatory T cell numbers are increased in patients with COPD may indicate their dysfunction or resistance to suppression by target cells. Investigation of regulatory T cells may therefore be of importance in understanding the inflammation and tissue damage that occurs in patients with COPD who cease smoking.