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Article
Open AccessInduction of autoantibodies against lung matrix proteins and smoke-induced inflammation in mice
Smoking is the major etiologic factor in COPD, yet the exact underlying pathogenetic mechanisms have not been elucidated. Since a few years, there is mounting evidence that a specific immune response, partly p...
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Article
Open AccessIncreased levels of (class switched) memory B cells in peripheral blood of current smokers
There is increasing evidence that a specific immune response contributes to the pathogenesis of COPD. B-cell follicles are present in lung tissue and increased anti-elastin titers have been found in plasma of ...
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Article
Open AccessAdenosine receptors in COPD and asymptomatic smokers: effects of smoking cessation
Our group has shown that 1-year smoking cessation persisted or increased airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We compared adenosine and adenosine receptor (AR) expression in COP...
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Article
Open AccessHeme oxygenase-1 prevents smoke induced B-cell infiltrates: a role for regulatory T cells?
Smoking is the most important cause for the development of COPD. Since not all smokers develop COPD, it is obvious that other factors must be involved in disease development. We hypothesize that heme oxygenase...
