The role of the endothelium in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

COPD and asthma are important chronic inflammatory disorders with a high
associated morbidity. Much research has concentrated on the role of
inflammatory cells, such as the neutrophil, in these diseases, but relatively
little focus has been given to the endothelial tissue, through which
inflammatory cells must transmigrate to reach the lung parenchyma and cause
damage. There is evidence that there is an abnormal amount of endothelial
tissue in COPD and asthma and that this tissue and its’ progenitor cells behave
in a dysfunctional manner. This article reviews the evidence of the
involvement of pulmonary endothelium in COPD and asthma and potential
treatment options for this.