Lung Epithelial CCAAT/Enhancer-binding Protein-β Is Necessary for the Integrity of Inflammatory Responses to Cigarette Smoke

RATIONALE: Cigarette smoke is the major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. The mechanisms by which smoking induces pulmonary dysfunction are complex, involving stress from toxic components and inflammatory responses. Although CCCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)-β is known as a key intracellular regulator of inflammatory signaling, its role in pulmonary inflammation has not been established. OBJECTIVES: To …