Abstract
Objectives: The objectives of our study were (1) to evaluate the expression and localization of HuR in human lung tissue and structural cells from Normal (never-smokers without COPD), Smokers (without COPD) and COPD subjects and (2) to evaluate if the cytoplasmic localization of HuR is induced by cigarette smoke. Total HuR protein was evaluated by western blot in human lung fibroblasts derived from same subject groups exposed to control media or cigarette smoke extract (CSE), an in vitro surrogate for cigarette smoke exposure.