All
these events are linked to the activation of the transcription
factor nuclear factor-B, which comprises several subunits, including
p65. The total number of p65-immunoreactive cells in
the bronchial epithelium of smoking patients with or without
COPD is significantly increased compared with the epithelium
of normal nonsmokers (39). At present, there is no published
study reporting the effects of ICSs on the epithelial changes
observed in COPD airways