Goblet Cell Hyperplasia and Epithelial Inflammation in Peripheral Airways of Smokers with Both Symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis and Chronic Airflow Limitation

摘要

To quantify the number of goblet cells and inflammatory cells in the epithelium of peripheral airways in smokers with both symptoms of chronic bronchitis and chronic airflow limitation, we examined surgical specimens obtained from 25 subjects undergoing lung resection for localized pulmonary le - sions: 10 smokers with symptoms of chronic bronchitis and chronic airflow limitation, six asymptom - atic smokers with normal lung function, and nine nonsmoking control subjects.