[Current advances in various aspects of chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy and in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma].

The continuing interest of researchers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is due not only to its increasing socio-economic impact, but also to the rapid advances made in the comprehension of various mechanisms of this disease, advances made feasible chiefly by a broader interdisciplinary approach to the subject. The most significant progress has been made through the study of bronchial asthma: researchers have confirmed that a particular inflammation of the bronchial mucosa is the common feature of all asthmatic syndromes. IgE antibodies specific for allergens as well as Th2 type T cells seem to play a central role in allergic bronchial asthma. Other types of T cells producing different combinations of cytokines, chiefly IL-5, may be involved in the pathogenesis of intrinsic and professional asthma. It is hoped that this recently gained knowledge will enable improvement in the prevention and therapy of asthma and other COPD syndromes.