Airway Remodeling in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a Review

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of chronic disability and mortality worldwide. Pathologically, it is a complex disease involving structural changes in lung parenchyma, airways, and vessels. Tissue remodeling is an integral part of COPD; nevertheless, published data on airway remodeling in particular in COPD are very limited. This review has summarized the available literature published during the last decade on structural changes in the airway component of the disease informed by major older publications. Available data show that COPD is quite different from asthma in regards to airway remodeling even when significant bronchodilator responses are present. The potential mechanisms of remodeling in COPD and its potential relationship with lung cancer are discussed.