title: Neutrophils and emerging targets for treatment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a decreased airflow due to airway narrowing that, once it occurs, is not fully reversible. The disease usually is progressive and associated with an enhanced inflammatory response in the lungs after exposure to noxious particles or gases. After removal of the noxious particles, the inflammation can continue in a self-sustaining manner. It has been established that improper activation of neutrophils lies at the core of the pathology. This paper provides an overview of the mechanisms by which neutrophils can induce the pulmonary damage of COPD. As the pathogenesis of COPD is slowly being unraveled, new points of intervention are discovered, some of which with promising results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science, University College Roosevelt, Lange Noordstraat 1, 4113 CB Middelburg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mariska
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: Ger T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Rijkers
authors.forename: Frans J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: van Overveld
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000378:metabolism*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors