Adhesion molecules in subjects with COPD and healthy non-smokers: a cross sectional parallel group study.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate how the expression of adhesion molecules changes as neutrophils migrate from the circulation to the lung and if these changes differ between non-smoking subjects and smokers with and without COPD.

Methods: Non-smoking healthy subjects (n=22), smokers without (n=21) and with COPD (n=18) were included. Neutrophils from peripheral blood, sputum and bronchial biopsies were analysed for cell surface expression of adhesion molecules (CD11b, CD62L, CD162).

Increased neutrophil migration in smokers with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background And Objective: The number of airway neutrophils is increased in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and this may have a central pathophysiological role in the disease. In addition, activation of neutrophils increases their migration into sites of injury. We hypothesize that circulating neutrophils are activated in smokers.

Chemokine release by neutrophils in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Neutrophils are among the first cells to arrive at the site of injury. Chemokines secreted by neutrophils affect the migration of both neutrophils and other inflammatory cells, such as monocytes. It has been reported that LPS-induced release of IL-8 (CXCL-8) by neutrophils is amplified by neutrophil-derived TNF-α.

Effect of formoterol and budesonide on chemokine release, chemokine receptor expression and chemotaxis in human neutrophils.

Severe persistent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with neutrophil influx into the airways. It is not clear whether neutrophil chemotaxis is influenced by beta(2)-agonists and glucocorticoids, drugs commonly used in treatment of asthma and COPD. The effect of a long-acting beta(2)-agonist (formoterol), and a glucocorticosteroid (budesonide) on chemokine/cytokine release (CXCL8, CXCL1, IL-6), regulation of chemokine receptors (CXCR1, CXCR2), and migration were assessed in neutrophils from 10 non-allergic, healthy donors.

Nasal air sampling for measuring inhaled wheat allergen in bakeries with and without facemask use.

Objective: Occupational asthma caused by flour is common in bakers. We applied novel intranasal air samplers (INAS) to assess wheat allergen exposure and evaluate respiratory protection in bakeries.

Methods: Two models of INAS (INAS-M1 and INAS-M2) were compared with simultaneous personal air sampling of inhalable dust, both with and without facemasks.