Inflammatory cells and remodeling in bronchial biopsies from COPD patients and controls

PMCID: PMC12173230

PMID: 40526700

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326267

Journal: PloS one

Publication Date: 2025-6-17

Authors: Eagan TM, Nielsen R, Haaland I, Husebø GR, Lehmann S, et al.

Key Points

• COPD patients exhibit increased macrophage and eosinophil populations in bronchial submucosa
• GOLD stages I/II demonstrated higher eosinophil counts and larger smooth muscle areas compared to GOLD stages III/IV
• Smoking significantly alters inflammatory cell populations, particularly lymphocyte counts

Summary

This bronchoscopic study investigated inflammatory and remodeling characteristics in the bronchial walls of COPD patients across different disease severities. By examining bronchial biopsies from 47 COPD patients and 35 healthy controls, researchers mapped intricate cellular changes associated with COPD progression, revealing nuanced differences in inflammatory cell populations and tissue remodeling.

Key findings demonstrated distinct inflammatory patterns between COPD stages, with GOLD I/II patients showing higher eosinophil counts and larger smooth muscle areas compared to GOLD III/IV patients. Notably, macrophages and eosinophils were significantly increased in COPD patients' submucosa, and smoking status substantially influenced lymphocyte populations in both healthy controls and COPD patients. The study highlighted complex correlations between inflammatory cells and tissue remodeling markers, suggesting that inflammatory processes evolve dynamically throughout COPD progression.