inflammation / infection lowers copper in lungs through TNF-a
Copper Deficiency in the Lungs of TNF-α Transgenic Mice
copper depletion can cause emphysema , lung damage
Copper Deficiency Induced Emphysema Is Associated with Focal Adhesion Kinase Inactivation
connective tissue (elastin) impact
Copper Deficiency in the Lungs of TNF-α Transgenic Mice
The SPC-TNF-α transgenic mouse model mimics the common inflammatory features in human lung pathologies. We report for the first time that Cu is markedly downregulated by TNF-α-induced chronic inflammation in the lungs. These results show that chronic inflammation-induced Cu-deficiency likely plays a causative role in the progression of lung inflammation. [or damage]
The emerging findings of Cu deficiency-induced emphysema have suggested Cu as a paramount contributor in the progression of COPD and other lung disorders (Mizuno et al., 2012). Our results showed that chronic inflammation results in dramatic decreases in lung Cu content (~75%). This suggests Cu deficiency may be a factor in disease progression.
copper depletion can cause emphysema , lung damage
Copper Deficiency Induced Emphysema Is Associated with Focal Adhesion Kinase Inactivation
(copper is critical for proper wound healing / growth factors and plays a role in healthy connective tissue)We have previously proposed that the endothelial cell growth and maintenance factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is critically important for the health of lung microvascular endothelial cells [12], and because experimental strategies to decrease the expression of lung tissue VEGF or inhibit its actions have resulted in emphysema [13], we examined the lung tissue mRNA expression of VEGF from the copper-deficient rats and found decreased VEGF mRNA and protein expression levels of the mRNA
In addition, we found decreased expression of mRNA and protein levels of LOX, elastin, fibulin 1 (FBLN1) and fibrillin 1 (FBN1), whereas the expression of fibulin 5 (FBLN5) was increased (Figure 3A, C).
connective tissue (elastin) impact
Specifically, cross-linking of elastin is inhibited by copper deficiency. In animal models, this inhibition leads to weakened connective tissue and pathologic changes in the lungs consistent with emphysema. https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/arrd.1982.126.2.312?journalCode=arrd
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