LAUSR

Background: B-cells organised into lymphoid follicles were found around small airways and in lung parenchyma of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Whether CXCR3 receptors are involved into the recruitment of naive and memory B-lymphocytes from the peripheral blood into lymphoid follicles is currently unknown. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the percentage of CXCR3+ naive and memory B-lymphocytes in blood of COPD patients. Methods: For analysis of lymphocytes subtypes the flow cytometry method was used. The study population consisted of 55 smokers with COPD, 10 healthy smokers and 10 healthy non-smokers. Results: We observed an increase in blood B-cells expressing CXCR3 receptors in smokers with COPD compared to healthy smokers (p Conclusion: Our findings support the possible role of CXCR3 receptors in migration of both naive and memory B-lymphocytes from blood into lymphoid follicles of COPD patients.