TY - JOUR T1 - Regulatory T cells and COPD JF - Thorax JO - Thorax SP - 1176 LP - 1178 DO - 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-203878 VL - 68 IS - 12 AU - Rachel Dancer AU - David M Sansom Y1 - 2013/12/01 UR - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/68/12/1176.abstract N2 - 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. ER -