The cytokine network in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

J Clin Invest. 2008 Nov;118(11):3546-56. doi: 10.1172/JCI36130.

Abstract

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are very common inflammatory diseases of the airways. They both cause airway narrowing and are increasing in incidence throughout the world, imposing enormous burdens on health care. Cytokines play a key role in orchestrating the chronic inflammation and structural changes of the respiratory tract in both asthma and COPD and have become important targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies in these diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / etiology
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Cytokines / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / drug therapy*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / epidemiology
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / physiopathology

Substances

  • Cytokines