Long non-coding RNA maternally expressed gene regulates cigarette smoke extract induced lung inflammation and human bronchial epithelial apoptosis via miR-149-3p.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has become a significant public health risk. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as important factors involved in the proliferation, apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine expression of lung cells. Peripheral blood samples from 66 subjects (18 non-smokers, 24 smokers without COPD and 28 smokers with COPD) and HBE135-E6E7 cell treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) or not were used as the research object.