Similar gene expression profiles in smokers and patients with moderate COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by multiple cellular and structural changes affecting the airways, lung parenchyma and vasculature, some of which are also identified in smokers without COPD. The molecular mechanisms underlying these changes remain poorly understood. With the aim of identifying mediators potentially implicated in the pathogenic processes that occur in COPD and their potential relationship with cigarette smoking, we evaluated the mRNA expression of genes involved in inflammation, tissue remodeling and vessel maintenance.