Increased innate and adaptive immune responses in induced sputum of young smokers

Background and objectives: It is known that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development process is imperceptible and can be asymptomatic for 20 or more years. It is of great importance to diagnose early inflammatory changes that can lead to COPD in young asymptomatic cigarette smokers. The aim of our study was to analyze the cell spectrum of induced sputum (IS) of young cigarette smokers, with emphasis on T-regulatory cells. Materials and methods: A total of 20 healthy nonallergic smokers, 20 nonsmokers and 20 COPD patients were enrolled in the study. After lung function measurements were taken, we performed sputum induction and analyzed sputum cells. We evaluated the cell coun…