Ciliary beating is depressed in nasal cilia from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subjects

COPD is characterized by increased cough, mucus production, and airway inflammation. Beating epithelial cell cilia contribute to mucociliary clearance with ciliary beat frequency (CBF) an important measure of cilia function. However, whether CBF varies with COPD severity is unknown. AIMS: 1) to compare nasal cilia samples and their CBF from healthy non-smokers (Control), COPD and At Risk (cough and sputum production) subjects. 2) to determine …