CIGARETTE SMOKE DAMAGES THE BRONCHIAL EPITHELIUM: MOLECULAR CONFIRMS

The bronchial epithelium is exposed to oxidants from external environment. The main sources of exogenous oxidants is the cigarette smoke (CS). Aldehydes and oxidants are main components of CS and induce apoptosis on lung cells. In asthmatic disease, the bronchial epithelium is susceptible to oxidants that cause apoptosis also in primary bronchial epithelial cultures. Caspases play a key role in apoptotic pathway and in particular Caspase-3 is involved in apoptotic pathway. Then, it is possible that caspases are implicated in oxidants induced apoptosis of the bronchial epithelial cells? In the present review, we discuss the most recent molecular studies on this topic; their results can be also useful for therapeutic purpose.