β2 long-acting and anticholinergic drugs control TGF-β1-mediated neutrophilic inflammation in COPD

► Both TGF-β and acetylcholine increase in induced sputum during airway inflammation of COPD. ► TGF-β increases expression of muscarinic receptors and choline acetyltransferase in epithelial cells. ► ACh promotes neutrophil adhesion to epithelial cells targeting muscarinic receptors. ► TGF-β and ACh interact to promote neutrophilic inflammation in the airways. ► β2 long-acting and anticholinergic drugs might control TGF-β and ACh neutrophilic airway inflammation in COPD.