TY - JOUR T1 - Simvastatin inhibits smoke-induced airway epithelial injury: implications for COPD therapy JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J SP - 1211 LP - 1212 DO - 10.1183/09031936.00015314 VL - 43 IS - 4 AU - Amir A. Zeki Y1 - 2014/04/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/43/4/1211.abstract N2 - From the author:Life is short, and the art is long– HippocratesWe read with interest C. Persson’s letter to the editor. It brings to mind the above quote, as every problem or observation has many potential vantage points. Thus, one’s work is never truly finished. In the age of molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics and systems biology the focus of investigators has naturally shifted to reflect these advances. However, some of the most outstanding discoveries are rooted in earlier observations using ex vivo and in vivo models of disease.The commentary by C. Persson is interesting, highly relevant and contains excellent ideas about potential statin epithelial cytoprotective mechanisms. The perspective regarding microcirculation in the rat model, unlike in mice that lack bronchial circulation, is particularly noteworthy. Therefore, on behalf of my co-authors, we appreciate the ideas put forth by C. Persson. We will attempt to address some of the questions raised; and at the end offer a few questions of our own regarding future research directions.In our … ER -