Regulatory T Cells in COPD

Lymphoid follicles, consisting of T-and B cells, are involved in the chronic inflammatory response in COPD. Foxp3 positive regulatory T cells (Tregs) are present in these follicles and may be involved in the suppression of this chronic inflammatory response. We hypothesise that a dysfunction of Tregs underlies the development of the inflammatory response in COPD. This could be either due to a decreased presence of Tregs in COPD, or to an altered function of Tregs possibly caused by a decreased HO-1 expression and/or an altered TGFβ regulation.