Background Pulmonary emphysema, a major component of COPD, is pathologically
characterized by destructive alterations in pulmonary architectures as a result of persistent
inflammation. However, alterations in the turnover of pulmonary cells are less well
understood. This study was designed to examine whether the turnover of alveolar wall cells
is altered in patients with emphysema. Patients and measurements We obtained lung tissue
specimens from patients with emphysema who had undergone lung volume reduction …