Tutorial 1 Lung Cell Biology

Question 1

Compare the inflammatory cells involved in asthma and COPD

Answer 1

Asthma: Th2, eosinophils and mast cells
COPD: CD8 cytotoxic cells, neutrophils and macrophages

Question 2

Compare the inflammatory mediators involved in asthma and COPD

Answer 2

Asthma:
- IL-4 and IL-5
COPD:
- TNFa and IL-8

Question 3

Describe the pathophysiology of asthma

Answer 3

Airway hypersensitivity - large and small airway

Bronchoconstriction
Mucus hyper-secretion
Infiltration with Th2, eosinophils and mast cells

Question 4

Describe the pathophysiology of bronchitis

Answer 4

Large airway

Mucus hypersecretion due to hyperplasia of goblet cells and hypertrophy of submucosal gland

Question 5

Describe the pathophysiology of bronchiolitis

Answer 5

Small airway

Fibrosis of the airway causes thickening of the lumen and decreasing lumen diameter

Question 6

Describe the pathophysiology of emphysema

Answer 6

Alveolar detachment caused by excess neutrophil elastase and MMP

*a1-antitrypsin and TIMP (tissue inhibitors of MMP) inhibit elastase and MMP, respectively

Question 7

What is the treatment for asthma

Answer 7

Bronchodilators: LABA (long acting beta agonist) and LAMA (long acting muscarinic antagonist)