Geriatrics & gerontology international
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Geriatr Gerontol Int · Oct 2013
Decreased serum transforming growth factor-β1 concentration with aging is associated with the severity of emphysema in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Age-associated changes of the lung might increase pathogenetic susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Decrement in serum transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 concentration is reported in elderly people. As impaired TGF-β1 signaling could cause emphysema-like changes, we hypothesized that decreased TGF-β1 with aging is correlated with emphysema. ⋯ Although no correlation was found between TGF-β1 and the severity of COPD, TGF-β1 significantly decreased as emphysema became more severe. Age-related decrease of TGF-β1 in COPD might be associated with emphysematous alterations of the lungs in elderly subjects.