Pharmacology - COPD Flashcards
1
Q
How does smoking cause COPD?
A
The air pollution irritates the airways and stimulates alveolar macrophages. They produce cytokines which activate neutrophils etc. and cause an inflammatory response. This causes matrix metalloproteinases to be released and proteisn such as elastase is broken down causing emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Slide 3
