SphK2 found to have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disorder that progresses slowly and is characterized by cough, asthma, dyspnea and shortness of breath. Previous studies have shown that cigarette smoke (CS) is one of the major causes of COPD. Chronic bronchial inflammation induced by CS promotes lung injury, fibrosis and remodeling, finally leading to emphysema, a lung condition that causes shortness of breath. However, the potential mechanism of CS-mediated COPD symptoms remains incompletely understood.