Individuals who actively smoke have a much higher rate of lung infection. Explain which first-line defense...

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Biology

Individuals who actively smoke have a much higher rate of lunginfection. Explain which first-line defense mechanism may beimpaired by smoking which allows pathogens to more readily enterthe lower respiratory tract.

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Smoking increases the susceptibility to pulmonary infection and is a risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCOPD It is postulated that cigarette smoke suppresses the activation of the innate immune system in response to bacterial infection In the central airways the epithelial lining is ciliated and covered with a protective mucus layer able to transport particles and microorganisms away from the central airways by mucociliary clearance This epithelial barrier constitutes the first line of defence Interspersed between the epithelial cells mucosal Tcells are located as a specific defence against infectious agents that are penetrating the mucosal barrier Further into the tissue in the lamina propria macrophages neutrophils and See Answer

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