Characteristics and potential role of M2 macrophages in COPD

Abstract

This study found an increased deposition of alveolar M2 macrophages in the mouse COPD model and an increased expression level of TGF-β/Smad pathway in M2 macrophages, both in vitro and in vivo, induced by CSE and/or CS exposure, indicating that M2 macrophages might contribute to COPD through changing of phenotype and TGF-β/Smad pathway.