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{{Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease}}
{{Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease}}
{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editors-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}}, [[Priyamvada Singh|Priyamvada Singh, MBBS]] [mailto:psingh13579@gmail.com]
{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editors-In-Chief:''' {{MehdiP}}, {{MJ}}, {{CZ}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
Pathologic changes in [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]] (COPD) occur in the large (central) airways, the bronchioles, and the lung parenchyma. Increased numbers of activated [[polymorphonuclear leukocytes]] and macrophages release elastases, proteinase-3 and macrophage-derived matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cysteine proteinases, and a plasminogen activator resulting in lung destruction. The antiprotease in the body cannot counteract effectively these elastases. Additionally, increased oxidative stress caused by free radicals in cigarette smoke, phagocytes, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes all may lead to apoptosis. In addition to macrophages, T lymphocytes, particularly CD8+, play an important role in the pathogenesis of smoking-induced airflow limitation.
Pathologic changes in [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]] (COPD) occur in the large (central) airways, the bronchioles, and the lung parenchyma. Increased numbers of activated [[polymorphonuclear leukocytes]] and macrophages release [[Elastase|elastases]], [[Proteinase 3|proteinase-3]] and [[macrophage]]-derived matrix [[Metalloproteinase|metalloproteinases]] ([[MMP|MMPs]]), cysteine proteinases, and a [[Tissue plasminogen activator|plasminogen activator]] resulting in [[lung]] destruction. The antiprotease in the body cannot counteract effectively these [[Elastase|elastases]]. Additionally, increased [[oxidative stress]] caused by free [[Radical (chemistry)|radicals]] in [[Smoking|cigarette smoke]], [[Phagocyte|phagocytes]], and [[Polymorphonuclear cells|polymorphonuclear]] [[leukocytes]] all may lead to [[apoptosis]]. In addition to [[Macrophage|macrophages]], [[T lymphocytes]], particularly [[Cytotoxic T cell|CD8+]], play an important role in the pathogenesis of [[smoking]]-induced airflow limitation.


==Pathophysiology==
==Pathophysiology==
 
* Narrowing of the [[Airway|airways]] reduces the rate at which air can flow to and from the [[Air sac|air sacs]] ([[alveoli]]) and limits the effectiveness of the [[Lung|lungs]].
[[Image:copd versus healthy lung.jpg|right|thumb|Enlarged view of lung tissue showing the difference between healthy lung and COPD]]
* In COPD, the greatest reduction in air flow occurs when breathing out (during [[Exhalation|expiration]]) because the pressure in the chest tends to compress rather than expand the [[Airway|airways]].
 
* Narrowing of the airways reduces the rate at which air can flow to and from the air sacs ([[alveoli]]) and limits the effectiveness of the lungs.
* In COPD, the greatest reduction in air flow occurs when breathing out (during expiration) because the pressure in the chest tends to compress rather than expand the airways.
* In theory, air flow could be increased by breathing more forcefully, increasing the pressure in the chest during expiration. In COPD, there is often a limit to how much this can actually increase air flow, a situation known as expiratory flow limitation.<ref name="calverley">{{cite journal |author=Calverley PM, Koulouris NG |title=Flow limitation and dynamic hyperinflation: key concepts in modern respiratory physiology|journal=Eur Respir J |volume=25 |pages=186–199|year=2005|pmid=15640341 |doi=10.1183/09031936.04.00113204 |issue=1}}</ref>
* In theory, air flow could be increased by breathing more forcefully, increasing the pressure in the chest during expiration. In COPD, there is often a limit to how much this can actually increase air flow, a situation known as expiratory flow limitation.<ref name="calverley">{{cite journal |author=Calverley PM, Koulouris NG |title=Flow limitation and dynamic hyperinflation: key concepts in modern respiratory physiology|journal=Eur Respir J |volume=25 |pages=186–199|year=2005|pmid=15640341 |doi=10.1183/09031936.04.00113204 |issue=1}}</ref>
* If the rate of airflow is too low, a person with COPD may not be able to completely finish breathing out (expiration) before he or she needs to take another breath. This is particularly common during exercise, when breathing has to be faster. A little of the air of the previous breath remains within the lungs when the next breath is started, resulting in an increase in the volume of air in the lungs, a process called dynamic [[Hyperaeration|hyperinflation]].<ref name="calverley"/>
* If the rate of airflow is too low, a person with COPD may not be able to completely finish breathing out (expiration) before he or she needs to take another breath. This is particularly common during [[Physical exercise|exercise]], when breathing has to be faster. A little of the air of the previous breath remains within the [[Lung|lungs]] when the next [[Breathing|breath]] is started, resulting in an increase in the volume of air in the [[Lung|lungs]], a process called dynamic hyperinflation.<ref name="calverley" />
* Dynamic hyperinflation is closely linked to [[dyspnea]] in COPD.<ref name="o'donnell">{{cite journal |author=O'Donnell DE|title=Hyperinflation, Dyspnea, and Exercise Intolerance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease|journal=The Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society|volume=3 |pages=180–4 |year=2006 |pmid=16565429 |doi=10.1513/pats.200508-093DO |issue=2}}</ref>
* Dynamic hyperinflation is closely linked to [[dyspnea]] in COPD.<ref name="o'donnell">{{cite journal |author=O'Donnell DE|title=Hyperinflation, Dyspnea, and Exercise Intolerance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease|journal=The Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society|volume=3 |pages=180–4 |year=2006 |pmid=16565429 |doi=10.1513/pats.200508-093DO |issue=2}}</ref>
* It is less comfortable to breathe with hyperinflation because it takes more effort to move the lungs and [[chest wall]] when they are already stretched by hyperinflation.
* It is less comfortable to breathe with hyperinflation because it takes more effort to move the lungs and [[chest wall]] when they are already stretched by hyperinflation.
* Another factor contributing to shortness of breath in COPD is the loss of the [[surface area]] available for the exchange of oxygen and [[carbon dioxide]] with emphysema. This reduces the rate of transfer of these gases between the body and the atmosphere and can lead to low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels in the body.
* Another factor contributing to shortness of breath in COPD is the loss of the [[surface area]] available for the exchange of [[oxygen]] and [[carbon dioxide]] with emphysema. This reduces the rate of transfer of these gases between the body and the [[atmosphere]] and can lead to low [[oxygen]] and high [[carbon dioxide]] levels in the body.
* A person with emphysema may have to breathe faster or more deeply to compensate, which can be difficult to do if there is also flow limitation or hyperinflation.
* A person with emphysema may have to breathe faster or more deeply to compensate, which can be difficult to do if there is also flow limitation or hyperinflation.
* Some people with advanced COPD do manage to breathe fast to compensate, but usually have dyspnea as a result. Others, who may be less short of breath, tolerate low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels in their bodies, but this can eventually lead to headaches, drowsiness and heart failure.
* Some people with advanced COPD do manage to breathe fast to compensate, but usually have dyspnea as a result. Others, who may be less short of breath, tolerate low [[oxygen]] and high [[carbon dioxide]] levels in their bodies, but this can eventually lead to headaches, drowsiness and [[Congestive heart failure|heart failure]].
* It is not fully understood how tobacco smoke and other inhaled particles damage the lungs to cause COPD. The most important processes causing lung damage are:
* It is not fully understood how [[tobacco]] smoke and other inhaled particles damage the [[Lung|lungs]] to cause COPD. The most important processes causing lung damage are:
** [[Oxidative stress]] produced by the high concentrations of [[free radicals]] in tobacco smoke
** [[Oxidative stress]] produced by the high concentrations of [[free radicals]] in [[tobacco]] [[Smoking|smoke]],
** [[Cytokine]] release due to [[inflammation]] as the body responds to irritant particles such as tobacco smoke in the airway
** [[Cytokine]] release due to [[inflammation]] as the body responds to irritant particles such as [[tobacco]] smoke in the [[airway]],
** Tobacco smoke and free radicals impair the activity of antiprotease enzymes such as [[alpha 1-antitrypsin]], allowing [[protease]] enzymes to damage the lung
** [[Tobacco smoking|Tobacco smoke]] and [[Radical (chemistry)|free radicals]] impair the activity of antiprotease enzymes such as [[alpha 1-antitrypsin]], allowing [[protease]] enzymes to damage the [[lung]].


[[Image:RanaGSJB et al 2010 Anal Bioanal Chem.jpg|thumb|  Potential role of [[coagulation]] and the [[complement system]] in COPD; a complex cascade of [[blood plasma]] proteins and platelet activation as molecular perturbations associated with patients suffering from COPD]]
* Several molecular signatures associated to lung function decline and corollaries of disease severity have been proposed, a majority of which are characterized in easily accessible surrogate tissue, including blood derivatives such as serum and plasma. A recent 2010 clinical study proposes alpha 1B-glycoprotein precursor/[[A1BG]], [[alpha 2-antiplasmin]], [[apolipoprotein]] A-IV precursor/[[APOA4]], and [[complement component 3]] precursor, among other [[coagulation]] and [[complement system]] proteins as corollaries of [[lung]] function decline, although ambiguity between cause and effect is unresolved.<ref name="RANAGS_et_al_2010">{{cite journal |author=Rana GS, York TP, Edmiston JS, Zedler BK, ''et al.'' |title=Proteomic biomarkers in plasma that differentiate rapid and slow decline in lung function in adult cigarette smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)|journal=Anal Bioanal Chem |year=2010 |pmid= 20442989|doi=10.1007/s00216-010-3742-4 |volume=397 |issue=5 |pages=1809–19}}</ref>
* Several molecular signatures associated to lung function decline and corollaries of disease severity have been proposed, a majority of which are characterized in easily accessible surrogate tissue, including blood derivatives such as serum and plasma. A recent 2010 clinical study proposes alpha 1B-glycoprotein precursor/[[A1BG]], [[alpha 2-antiplasmin]], apolipoprotein A-IV precursor/[[APOA4]], and [[complement component 3]] precursor, among other [[coagulation]] and [[complement system]] proteins as corollaries of lung function decline, although ambiguity between cause and effect is unresolved.<ref name="RANAGS_et_al_2010">{{cite journal |author=Rana GS, York TP, Edmiston JS, Zedler BK, ''et al.'' |title=Proteomic biomarkers in plasma that differentiate rapid and slow decline in lung function in adult cigarette smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)|journal=Anal Bioanal Chem |year=2010 |pmid= 20442989|doi=10.1007/s00216-010-3742-4 |volume=397 |issue=5 |pages=1809–19}}</ref>


===Associated Conditions===
{|
|[[Image:Copd 2010.jpg|center|300px|thumb|By National Heart Lung and Blood Institute<ref name="urlFile:Copd 2010.jpg - Wikimedia Commons">{{cite web |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29583200 |title=File:Copd 2010.jpg - Wikimedia Commons |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref>]]
|}


====Chronic Bronchitis====
====Chronic Bronchitis====
* Chronic bronchitis is defined in ''clinical'' terms as a cough with sputum production on most days for 3 months of a year, for 2 consecutive years.<ref name=ohcm>Longmore M, Wilkinson I, Rajagopalan S (2005). ''Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine'', 6ed. [[Oxford University Press]]. pp 188-189. ISBN 0-19-852558-3.</ref>
=====Pathogenesis=====
* Chronic bronchitis is hallmarked by [[hyperplasia]] (increased number) and [[hypertrophy]] (increased size) of the goblet cells ([[mucous gland]]) of the airway, resulting in an increase in secretion of mucus which contributes to the airway obstruction. [[Microscope|Microscopically]] there is [[Infiltration (medical)|infiltration]] of the airway walls with [[Inflammation|inflammatory]] cells, particularly [[neutrophils]]. Inflammation is followed by scarring and remodeling that thickens the walls resulting in narrowing of the small airway. Further progression leads to [[metaplasia]] (abnormal change in the tissue) and [[fibrosis]] (further thickening and scarring) of the lower airway. The consequence of these changes is a limitation of airflow.<ref name=kc>Kumar P, Clark M (2005). ''Clinical Medicine'', 6ed. Elsevier Saunders. pp 900-901. ISBN 0702027634.</ref>.
* Hallmark features include: [[hyperplasia]] (increased number) and [[hypertrophy]] (increased size) of the [[Goblet cell|goblet cells]] ([[mucous gland]]) of the airway, resulting in an increase in secretion of [[mucus]], which contributes to the airway obstruction.<ref name="pmid15325838">{{cite journal |vauthors=Hogg JC |title=Pathophysiology of airflow limitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |journal=Lancet |volume=364 |issue=9435 |pages=709–21 |year=2004 |pmid=15325838 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(04)16900-6 |url=}}</ref>
*Narrowing of the airways reduces the rate at which air can flow to and from the air sacs ([[alveoli]]) and limits the effectiveness of the lungs.
=====Microscopy=====
*On microscopic histopathological analysis, there is infiltration of the airway walls with [[Inflammation|inflammatory]] cells, particularly [[CD8+ T cells|CD8+ T-lymphocytes]] and [[neutrophils]].<ref name="pmid15047950">{{cite journal |vauthors=Baraldo S, Turato G, Badin C, Bazzan E, Beghé B, Zuin R, Calabrese F, Casoni G, Maestrelli P, Papi A, Fabbri LM, Saetta M |title=Neutrophilic infiltration within the airway smooth muscle in patients with COPD |journal=Thorax |volume=59 |issue=4 |pages=308–12 |year=2004 |pmid=15047950 |pmc=1763819 |doi= |url=}}</ref> Inflammation is followed by scarring and remodeling that thickens the walls resulting in narrowing of the small airways.
 
====Emphysema====
====Emphysema====
* Emphysema is the destruction of pulmonary [[acinus]]. [[Acinus]] is the structures distal to the [[terminal bronchiole]], consisting of the respiratory [[bronchiole]], [[Alveolar duct|alveolar ducts]], [[Alveolar sac|alveolar sacs]], and [[Pulmonary alveolus|alveoli]]. 
===Gross Pathology===


To learn more about the pathophysiology of emphysema, please click [[emphysema pathophysiology]].
{|
|[[Image:Centrilobular emphysema 865 lores.jpg|left|250px|thumb|
Pathology of lung showing centrilobular emphysema characteristic of smoking.
Closeup of fixed, cut surface shows multiple cavities lined by heavy black carbon deposits.
(CDC/Dr. Edwin P. Ewing, Jr., 1973)]]
|}
 
===Microscopic Pathology===
 
{|
|
[[Image:Emphysema_H_and_E.jpg||left|thumb|250px|H&E ([[haematoxylin]] and [[eosin]]) stained lung tissue sample from an end-stage emphysema patient. [[red blood cell|RBCs]] are red, [[cell nucleus|nuclei]] are blue-purple, other cellular and extracellular material is pink, and air spaces are white.]]
|}


====Acute Exacerbations of COPD====
====Acute Exacerbations of COPD====
An acute exacerbation of COPD is a sudden worsening of COPD symptoms (shortness of breath, quantity and color of phlegm) that typically lasts for several days. Airway inflammation is increased during the exacerbation, resulting in increased hyperinflation, reduced expiratory air flow and worsening of gas transfer. This can also lead to hypoventilation and eventually hypoxia, insufficient tissue perfusion, and then cell necrosis.
An acute exacerbation of COPD is a sudden worsening of COPD symptoms ([[shortness of breath]], quantity and color of phlegm) that typically lasts for several days. Airway [[inflammation]] is increased during the exacerbation, resulting in increased hyperinflation, reduced expiratory air flow and worsening of gas transfer. This can also lead to [[hypoventilation]] and eventually [[Hypoxemia|hypoxia]], insufficient [[Tissue (biology)|tissue]] perfusion, and then cell [[necrosis]].


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}
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Latest revision as of 20:58, 29 July 2020

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2], Mehrian Jafarizade, M.D [3], Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [4]

Overview

Pathologic changes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occur in the large (central) airways, the bronchioles, and the lung parenchyma. Increased numbers of activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages release elastases, proteinase-3 and macrophage-derived matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cysteine proteinases, and a plasminogen activator resulting in lung destruction. The antiprotease in the body cannot counteract effectively these elastases. Additionally, increased oxidative stress caused by free radicals in cigarette smoke, phagocytes, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes all may lead to apoptosis. In addition to macrophages, T lymphocytes, particularly CD8+, play an important role in the pathogenesis of smoking-induced airflow limitation.

Pathophysiology

  • Narrowing of the airways reduces the rate at which air can flow to and from the air sacs (alveoli) and limits the effectiveness of the lungs.
  • In COPD, the greatest reduction in air flow occurs when breathing out (during expiration) because the pressure in the chest tends to compress rather than expand the airways.
  • In theory, air flow could be increased by breathing more forcefully, increasing the pressure in the chest during expiration. In COPD, there is often a limit to how much this can actually increase air flow, a situation known as expiratory flow limitation.[1]
  • If the rate of airflow is too low, a person with COPD may not be able to completely finish breathing out (expiration) before he or she needs to take another breath. This is particularly common during exercise, when breathing has to be faster. A little of the air of the previous breath remains within the lungs when the next breath is started, resulting in an increase in the volume of air in the lungs, a process called dynamic hyperinflation.[1]
  • Dynamic hyperinflation is closely linked to dyspnea in COPD.[2]
  • It is less comfortable to breathe with hyperinflation because it takes more effort to move the lungs and chest wall when they are already stretched by hyperinflation.
  • Another factor contributing to shortness of breath in COPD is the loss of the surface area available for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide with emphysema. This reduces the rate of transfer of these gases between the body and the atmosphere and can lead to low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels in the body.
  • A person with emphysema may have to breathe faster or more deeply to compensate, which can be difficult to do if there is also flow limitation or hyperinflation.
  • Some people with advanced COPD do manage to breathe fast to compensate, but usually have dyspnea as a result. Others, who may be less short of breath, tolerate low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels in their bodies, but this can eventually lead to headaches, drowsiness and heart failure.
  • It is not fully understood how tobacco smoke and other inhaled particles damage the lungs to cause COPD. The most important processes causing lung damage are:
  • Several molecular signatures associated to lung function decline and corollaries of disease severity have been proposed, a majority of which are characterized in easily accessible surrogate tissue, including blood derivatives such as serum and plasma. A recent 2010 clinical study proposes alpha 1B-glycoprotein precursor/A1BG, alpha 2-antiplasmin, apolipoprotein A-IV precursor/APOA4, and complement component 3 precursor, among other coagulation and complement system proteins as corollaries of lung function decline, although ambiguity between cause and effect is unresolved.[3]
By National Heart Lung and Blood Institute[4]

Chronic Bronchitis

Pathogenesis
  • Hallmark features include: hyperplasia (increased number) and hypertrophy (increased size) of the goblet cells (mucous gland) of the airway, resulting in an increase in secretion of mucus, which contributes to the airway obstruction.[5]
  • Narrowing of the airways reduces the rate at which air can flow to and from the air sacs (alveoli) and limits the effectiveness of the lungs.
Microscopy
  • On microscopic histopathological analysis, there is infiltration of the airway walls with inflammatory cells, particularly CD8+ T-lymphocytes and neutrophils.[6] Inflammation is followed by scarring and remodeling that thickens the walls resulting in narrowing of the small airways.

Emphysema

Gross Pathology

Pathology of lung showing centrilobular emphysema characteristic of smoking. Closeup of fixed, cut surface shows multiple cavities lined by heavy black carbon deposits. (CDC/Dr. Edwin P. Ewing, Jr., 1973)

Microscopic Pathology

H&E (haematoxylin and eosin) stained lung tissue sample from an end-stage emphysema patient. RBCs are red, nuclei are blue-purple, other cellular and extracellular material is pink, and air spaces are white.

Acute Exacerbations of COPD

An acute exacerbation of COPD is a sudden worsening of COPD symptoms (shortness of breath, quantity and color of phlegm) that typically lasts for several days. Airway inflammation is increased during the exacerbation, resulting in increased hyperinflation, reduced expiratory air flow and worsening of gas transfer. This can also lead to hypoventilation and eventually hypoxia, insufficient tissue perfusion, and then cell necrosis.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Calverley PM, Koulouris NG (2005). "Flow limitation and dynamic hyperinflation: key concepts in modern respiratory physiology". Eur Respir J. 25 (1): 186–199. doi:10.1183/09031936.04.00113204. PMID 15640341.
  2. O'Donnell DE (2006). "Hyperinflation, Dyspnea, and Exercise Intolerance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease". The Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society. 3 (2): 180–4. doi:10.1513/pats.200508-093DO. PMID 16565429.
  3. Rana GS, York TP, Edmiston JS, Zedler BK; et al. (2010). "Proteomic biomarkers in plasma that differentiate rapid and slow decline in lung function in adult cigarette smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)". Anal Bioanal Chem. 397 (5): 1809–19. doi:10.1007/s00216-010-3742-4. PMID 20442989.
  4. "File:Copd 2010.jpg - Wikimedia Commons".
  5. Hogg JC (2004). "Pathophysiology of airflow limitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease". Lancet. 364 (9435): 709–21. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(04)16900-6. PMID 15325838.
  6. Baraldo S, Turato G, Badin C, Bazzan E, Beghé B, Zuin R, Calabrese F, Casoni G, Maestrelli P, Papi A, Fabbri LM, Saetta M (2004). "Neutrophilic infiltration within the airway smooth muscle in patients with COPD". Thorax. 59 (4): 308–12. PMC 1763819. PMID 15047950.

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