Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.

Understanding the variety of primary symptoms and systemic complications that characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is crucial for healthcare professionals.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Reconsidering biologic treatment recommendations for CRSwNP without asthma in EUFOREA guidelines.

Rhinology·2026

Same author

[The 2025 respiratory research days: A first in Caen!]

Revue des maladies respiratoires·2026

Same author

[Emergency room visits for asthma and the reported outcomes: The PASS survey by the CRISALIS network].

Revue des maladies respiratoires·2025

Same author

Mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus- and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced neutrophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.

Rhinology·2025

Same author

[On your marks, get set, go for the 20th edition of J2R 2024 in Paris!]

Revue des maladies respiratoires·2025

Same author

[In vitro preclinical models reproducing the respiratory epithelium: Application to the study of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection].

Revue des maladies respiratoires·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice

Published on: January 16, 2015

[Structural abnormalities and inflammation in COPD: a focus on small airways].

P-R Burgel¹, A Bourdin, C Pilette

¹Service de pneumologie, hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, université Paris Descartes, Paris, France. pierre-regis.burgel@cch.aphp.fr

Revue Des Maladies Respiratoires

|July 12, 2011

Summary

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involves airway remodeling and inflammation, primarily affecting small airways. Therapies targeting these small airway changes are crucial for managing COPD patients.

More Related Videos

Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function

Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function

Published on: April 12, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 31, 2026

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice

Published on: January 16, 2015

Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function

Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function

Published on: April 12, 2024

Area of Science:

Pulmonary Medicine
Respiratory Research

Background:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined by irreversible airflow limitation, airway remodeling, and inflammation in both large and small airways.
Small airways are the primary site of airflow obstruction in COPD, characterized by thickened airway walls, fibrosis, and mucus accumulation.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the pathological changes in small airways in COPD.
To explore the immune cell involvement and potential therapeutic targets in COPD small airways.

Main Methods:

Review of structural abnormalities in small airways (bronchioles < 2mm).
Analysis of mechanisms contributing to emphysema, including protease-antiprotease imbalance, apoptosis, senescence, and autoimmunity.
Examination of immune cell recruitment (neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes) in small airways due to cigarette smoke.

Main Results:

Small airways exhibit increased wall thickness, peribronchial fibrosis, and luminal obstruction by mucus.
Emphysema pathogenesis involves protease-antiprotease imbalance and cellular processes like apoptosis and senescence.
Cigarette smoke induces innate and adaptive immune responses in the small airways.

Conclusions:

Structural changes and inflammation in small airways are key features of COPD.
Immune responses triggered by cigarette smoke play a significant role in COPD pathogenesis.
Targeting small airway remodeling and inflammation presents a promising therapeutic strategy for COPD.