What is the true target population for biologics in real-life COPD or asthma-COPD overlap patients?

Introduction: Biologics provide significant benefits in asthma, reducing exacerbations and symptoms. Some biologics have shown promising results in small subgroups of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and frequent exacerbations. Nevertheless, real-life data on the size of the COPD target population remain scarce.

Short-range interactions between fibrocytes and CD8 T cells in COPD bronchial inflammatory response.

Bronchi of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the site of extensive cell infiltration, allowing persistent contact between resident cells and immune cells. Tissue fibrocytes interaction with CD8 T cells and its consequences were investigated using a combination of , experiments and mathematical modeling. We show that fibrocytes and CD8 T cells are found in the vicinity of distal airways and that potential interactions are more frequent in tissues from COPD patients compared to those of control subjects.

Muscarinic receptor M3 activation promotes fibrocytes contraction.

Fibrocytes are monocyte-derived cells able to differentiate into myofibroblasts-like cells. We have previously shown that they are increased in the bronchi of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients and associated to worse lung function. COPD is characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction, partly due to an increased cholinergic environment.