What happens to the Alveolar attachments in COPD?

Alveolar attachments are destroyed in COPD.

Alveolar attachments are the structural components that hold the alveoli together. These attachments include the alveolar walls, which are made up of a thin layer of endothelial cells covered by a basement membrane, and the alveolar septa, which are made up of connective tissue.

In COPD, the alveolar walls and septa are destroyed, leading to the formation of enlarged air spaces called emphysema. This destruction is caused by the action of proteolytic enzymes, such as elastase and cathepsin, which are released by inflammatory cells in the lungs.

The destruction of alveolar attachments also leads to the loss of surface area for gas exchange, which impairs lung function. This can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and other symptoms of COPD.