Pulmonary-intestinal cross-talk in mucosal inflammatory disease

Mucosal Immunol. 2012 Jan;5(1):7-18. doi: 10.1038/mi.2011.55. Epub 2011 Nov 16.

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory diseases of mucosal tissues that affect the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, respectively. They share many similarities in epidemiological and clinical characteristics, as well as in inflammatory pathologies. Importantly, both conditions are accompanied by systemic comorbidities that are largely overlooked in both basic and clinical research. Therefore, consideration of these complications may maximize the efficacy of prevention and treatment approaches. Here, we examine both the intestinal involvement in COPD and the pulmonary manifestations of IBD. We also review the evidence for inflammatory organ cross-talk that may drive these associations, and discuss the current frontiers of research into these issues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Communication
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Mucosal
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / immunology*
  • Intestines / immunology*
  • Lung / immunology*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / epidemiology*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / immunology*