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Peripheral Blood Inflammatory Markers and Immune Cell Profiles in Smokers With and Without COPD
Wenying Lu1, Maddison Waters2, Josie Larby3
1Respiratory Translational Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia.
Pulmonary Therapy
|May 20, 2026
Summary
Peripheral blood inflammatory markers are elevated in smokers, even those without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Increased inflammatory markers in smokers correlate with reduced lung function in COPD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Immunology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Cigarette smoking significantly drives airway and systemic inflammation, contributing to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development and progression.
- Understanding inflammatory profiles in smokers with and without COPD is crucial for targeted therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare peripheral blood inflammatory markers and immune cell profiles in smokers with and without COPD against non-smoking controls.
- To investigate the correlation between elevated blood inflammatory markers and lung function parameters in COPD patients.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 80 participants: non-smoker controls (NS), normal lung function smokers (NLFS), current smokers with COPD (COPD-CS), and ex-smokers with COPD (COPD-ES).
- Measured total white cell count (WCC) and leukocyte differentials (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils) using automated hematology analysis.
- Assessed systemic inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), alongside lung function parameters (FEV1, FVC, DLco, FEF25-75%, SpO2).
Main Results:
- Smokers (NLFS, COPD-CS, COPD-ES) exhibited higher WCC, neutrophils, and monocytes compared to NS.
- Lymphocytes were elevated in NLFS and COPD-CS, while eosinophils were higher in COPD-ES and NLFS versus NS.
- Elevated ESR and CRP were observed in NLFS and both COPD groups compared to NS; higher inflammatory cell counts correlated with poorer lung function in COPD.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral blood inflammation is increased in smokers, including those with normal lung function, and in COPD patients.
- Distinct eosinophil patterns in current versus ex-smokers with COPD suggest inflammatory heterogeneity requiring further investigation.
- Findings support personalized medicine approaches based on individual inflammatory profiles for COPD management.
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