[Role of immune system in the pathomechanism of obstructive sleep apnea]. / Rola ukladu immunologicznego w patomechanizimie obturacyjnego bezdechu sennego.

Immune system plays an essential role in the pathomechanism of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA), in the development of certain OSA complications, like the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Indeed, it is the sleep fragmentation and chronic intermittent hypoxia/reoxygenation, that stimulates increased immunoreactivity and chronic inflammatory response, both systemic and local in the upper airways. This review summarizes current evidence on the most important regulatory mechanisms involving immune cells and mediators.