From: The role of the bronchial microvasculature in the airway remodelling in asthma and COPD
Structural changes | Functional effects | Asthma | COPD |
---|---|---|---|
Vascular remodelling with inner airway wall thickening | Decreased baseline airway calibre and amplification of airway smooth muscle shortening | +++ | + |
Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of airway smooth muscle | Increased smooth muscle strength and airway hyperresponsiveness | +++ | + |
Connective tissue deposition | Increased airway smooth muscle radial constraint | +++ | + |
Thickening and fibrosis of all layers | Decreased airway distensibility and reduced effectiveness of bronchodilators | ++ | + |
Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of mucus gland | Decreased lumen calibre and amplification of airway smooth muscle shortening | + | +++ |
Loss of alveolar attachments | Predisposition to expiratory closure and collapse | - | +++ |