Nicotine stimulates collagen type I expression in lung via α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

摘要

BackgroundTobacco-related chronic lung diseases are characterized by alterations in lung architecture leading to decreased lung function. Knowledge of the exact mechanisms involved in tobacco-induced tissue remodeling and inflammation remains incomplete. We hypothesize that nicotine stimulates the expression of extracellular matrix proteins, leading to relative changes in lung matrix composition, which may affect immune cells entering the lung after injury.