Role of Fibrocytes in the Bronchial Remodelling of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Role of Fibrocytes in the Bronchial Remodelling of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Airway remodelling is an abnormal tissue repair following bronchial inflammation, which contributes to none reversible pathological features, such as bronchial and peri-bronchial fibrosis. It also influences the prognosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and its mechanisms remain largely unknown. The role of fibrocytes has been demonstrated in the pathophysiology of asthma, lung fibrosis or pulmonary hypertension. However, the recruitment of blood fibrocytes and their involvement in COPD airway remodelling remain unknown.

The main objective of the study is to analyse the distribution and quantify the number of the peri-bronchial and blood circulating fibrocytes in patients with different stages of COPD compared to control subjects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female aged more than 40 yr
• Patient needed a thoracic surgery such as lobectomy for cancer or lung transplantation or lung reduction volume surgery.
• COPD group: diagnostic of COPD and differentiation of the stage from 1 to 4 according to the GOLD guidelines.
• Control group: subjects with normal lung function testing and no chronic symptoms (cough or expectoration). Subjects will be separated in 2 groups according to smoking history (Never smokers, smokers (former or current) and paired to patients according to age and sex.
• with a written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject without any social security or health insurance
• Asthma, lung fibrosis or idiopathic pulmonary hypertension
• Chronic viral infections (hepatitis, HIV)
• Pregnant woman or breastfeeding
• Subject included for cancer surgery with a Pn0 diagnosis not confirmed after the intervention.