上皮细胞-间质细胞转分化在慢性阻塞性肺疾病气道重塑中的作用

Role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in airway remodeling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)发病率高,危害大,以持续性气流受限为主要特点,气道重塑是导致肺功能下降的主要病理基础,其发病机制仍不清楚。上皮细胞-间质细胞转分化(EMT)在恶性肿瘤转移、损伤修复、器官纤维化中起重要的作用。气道上皮是抵御有害颗粒物的第一道防御屏障,气道上皮细胞具有转分化能力,通过Smad信号通路和多条非Smad通路参与了COPD的气道重塑。初步研究提示拮抗EMT信号通路可能有助于减轻COPD气道重塑,未来需要进一步探索来寻找更有效的治疗靶点,来改善COPD患者的肺功能和预后。

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)has a high incidence and great harm,which is mainly characterized by persistent airflow limitation.Airway remodeling is the main pathological basis leading to the decline of lung function,and its pathogenesis is still unclear.Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)plays an important role in malignant tumor metastasis,injury repair and organ fibrosis.Airway epithelium is the first defense barrier against harmful particulates.In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that airway epithelial cells have the ability of transdifferentiation and participate in airway remodeling of COPD through smadsignaling pathway and multiple non-Smad pathways.Preliminary studies suggest that antagonizing EMT signal pathway might help to reduce airway remodeling in COPD.Further exploration is needed to find more effective treatment targets to improve lung function and prognosis in patients with COPD.