Apoptosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Although the major sites of airflow limitation in patients with COPD are most likely the peripheral airways, lesions in both the peripheral airways and the lung parenchyma contribute to chronic airflow limitations. Abnormalities in the lung parenchyma is recognized as emphysema characterized by air space enlargement and alveolar destruction. The mechanism responsible for the development of emphysema was thought to be protease/antiprotease imbalance and oxidative stress. A very recent study shows that alveolar cell apoptosis causes lung destruction and emphysematous changes. Thus, apoptosis may play a significant role in the development of emphysema.