IL-17A Promotes Epithelial ADAM9 Expression in Cigarette Smoke-Related COPD.

Background: It has been reported that a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 9 (ADAM9) is involved in the pathogenesis of cigarette smoke (CS)-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But how CS exposure leads to upregulation of ADAM9 remains unknown.

Methods: Patients who underwent lobectomy for a solitary pulmonary nodule were enrolled and divided into three groups: non-smokers with normal lung function, smokers without COPD and smoker patients with COPD.