Lung Macrophage Populations and Functions in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)-Susceptible Smokers
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease that affects only a fraction of those who smoke tobacco. The origin of this variability in susceptibility to develop COPD is unclear, but understanding its underlying biology has important implications for our ability to design suitable preventative and therapeutic strategies for its management. This Department of Defense (DOD) discovery research proposes to develop methodologies and generate preliminary data needed to lay the foundation for a large study that would investigate the underlying biological susceptibility of those who smoke tobacco to develop COPD.
• Ages between 40 to 75 years old.
• History of at least 20 pack-years of smoking.
• No diagnosis of COPD or asthma.
• No spirometric evidence of airflow obstruction as determined by FEV1/FVC ratio ≥0.7.
• FEV1 and FVC \>lower limit of normal.
• Less than 1 pack-year history of tobacco smoking and no tobacco use within the past 12 months.
• Subjects will be divided into two groups by their RV/TLC:
⁃ Normal RV/TLC Group:
⁃ • Plethysmographic RV/TLC equal or less than lower limit of normal.
⁃ Abnormal RV/TLC Group:
⁃ • Plethysmographic RV/TLC higher than lower limit of normal.