Author:

Keywords:

Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Respiratory System, BPIFA1, BPIFB1, COPD, OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY-DISEASE, HOST-DEFENSE, SPLUNC1, LUNG, PLUNC, EXPRESSION, DIFFERENTIATION, SMOKERS, FAMILY, VOLUME, Aged, Autoantigens, Biomarkers, Case-Control Studies, Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins, Female, Forced Expiratory Volume, Glycoproteins, Goblet Cells, Humans, Hyperplasia, Lung, Male, Middle Aged, Phosphoproteins, Predictive Value of Tests, Proteins, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, RNA, Messenger, Severity of Illness Index, Smoking, Up-Regulation, Vital Capacity, 1102 Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, 3201 Cardiovascular medicine and haematology

Abstract:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by an abnormal inflammatory response in the lungs caused by the inhalation of noxious particles and gases. The airway epithelium has a protective function against these harmful agents by maintaining a physical barrier and by secreting defensive proteins, such as bactericidal/permeability-increasing fold-containing (BPIF) proteins, BPIFA1 and BPIFB1. However, inconsistent data regarding BPIFA1 expression in smokers and COPD patients have been reported to date. Therefore, we investigated the expression of BPIFA1 and BPIFB1 in a large cohort of never-smokers and smokers with and without COPD, both on the messenger RNA (mRNA) level in lung tissue and on the protein level in airway epithelium. Furthermore, we examined the correlation between BPIFA1 and BPIFB1 levels, goblet cell hyperplasia, and lung function measurements.andmRNA expressions were significantly increased in stage III-IV COPD patients compared with stage II COPD patients and subjects without COPD. In addition, protein levels in COPD patients were significantly increased in comparison with subjects without COPD. BPIFA1 and BPIFB1 levels were inversely correlated with measurements of airflow limitation and positively correlated with goblet cell hyperplasia. In addition, by the use of immunofluorescence double staining, we demonstrated the expression of BPIFB1 in goblet cells. In conclusion, we show that BPIFA1 and BPIFB1 levels are elevated in COPD patients and correlate with disease severity.