RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Upregulation of basic fibroblast growth factor in smokers with chronic bronchitis JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 957 OP 963 DO 10.1183/09031936.06.00057205 VO 27 IS 5 A1 F. Guddo A1 A. M. Vignola A1 M. Saetta A1 S. Baraldo A1 L. Siena A1 E. Balestro A1 R. Zuin A1 A. Papi A1 P. Maestrelli A1 L. M. Fabbri A1 G. Bonsignore A1 G. Turato YR 2006 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/27/5/957.abstract AB The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and its receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-1, in the central airways of smokers with chronic bronchitis. The lobar bronchi from 17 subjects undergoing thoracotomy for solitary nodules were examined. All had a history of cigarette smoking, nine had symptoms of chronic bronchitis and airflow limitation, and eight were asymptomatic with normal lung function. Using immunohistochemical methods, bFGF and FGFR-1 expression in the total airway wall and the different airway compartments, i.e. bronchial glands, submucosal vessels and smooth muscle, was quantified. Moreover, to investigate the role of bFGF in angiogenesis, the number of submucosal vessels was quantified. Smokers with chronic bronchitis had an increased bFGF expression in the total airway wall compared with asymptomatic smokers, which was mainly due to bFGF upregulation in bronchial glands. By contrast, the expression of FGFR-1 and the number of submucosal vessels was similar in the two groups of subjects examined. In conclusion, smokers with chronic bronchitis have an increased expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in the central airways, which is mainly due to an increased expression in bronchial glands, suggesting the involvement of this growth factor in the pathogenesis of chronic bronchitis.