Table 2.
Differences in Inflammation Profiles Between Asthma and COPD
| Asthma | COPD |
|---|---|
| Cell types infiltrating airways | |
| CD4+ lymphocytes | CD8+ lymphocytes |
| ↑ Ratio of activated CD4+/CD8+ | ↓ Ratio of activated CD4+/CD8+ |
| Eosinophils | Neutrophils |
| Mast cells | Macrophages |
| Neutrophils (severe asthma) | Eosinophils (exacerbation) |
| Upregulated cytokines/chemokines observed | |
| IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 | IL-8, IL-1 |
| RANTES, eotaxins, MCP-1 | Leukotriene B4, interferon-γ |
COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; IL = interleukin; MCP-1 = monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; RANTES = regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted
Adapted with permission from Mauad T, Dolhnikoff M. Pathologic similarities and differences between asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2008;14:31–38.