Immunoaging augments sensitivity to cigarette smoke-induced COPD

The pathogenesis of COPD is related to an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to cigarette smoke, toxic gases and particles, which leads to emphysema, chronic bronchitis and subsequent decline in lung function. Age-related changes of immune system functions have been described, but are complex phenomena incompletely understood. We hypothesize that in a chronic CS-induced mouse model the pathogenesis of COPD is characterized by an elevated immune response in aged mice. 2 and 12 months old C57BL/6 mice were exposed to CS concentration of 500 mg/m3 TPM for 3 months. BAL fluid was sampled to perform differen…