Airflow obstruction is mainly due to three mechanisms: emphysema, bronchiolitis, an inflammatory process and mucus plugging of the airways. Inflammation causes fibrosis in the airways and loss of ...

PLE results in a greater degree of chronic, progressive damage to the alveoli than other types of emphysema; the disease significantly impacts quality of life and causes systemic inflammation.

Activation of proinflammatory genes in lung APCs most likely underlies the pathophysiology of emphysema and could potentially be targeted for effective therapy. A key finding in autoimmune ...