Low temperature affects airway mucin secretion and promotes acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a high incidence, and leads to irreversible lung dysfunction. Preventing COPD acute exacerbation (AECOPD) and delaying the progression of the disease are the focus of treatment. However, there is still a lack of precise and effective preventive measures. A significant feature of AECOPD is the high incidence in winter. The traditional concept is that cold air in winter can be accompanied by increased virus replication, environmental pollution, and reduced air humidity. Various confounding factors intertwine to promote the occurrence of AECOPD, and the impact of low temperature itself has been neglected. In recent years, with the development of molecular biology, more and more studies have found that abnormal secretion of airway mucin can lead to obstruction of mucus clearance, increase the chance of infection, and participate in the development of COPD. Low temperature can affect mucin secretion through various mechanisms. This article summarizes the particularity of COPD airway temperature and the related ways of low temperature leading to mucin changes. It draws people's attention to low temperature in order to carry out basic research and provide new intervention methods for predicting and preventing the occurrence of AECOPD.