RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Regulatory T cells and COPD
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 1176
OP 1178
DO 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-203878
VO 68
IS 12
A1 Rachel Dancer
A1 David M Sansom
YR 2013
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/68/12/1176.abstract
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.