Increased apoptosis of neutrophils in induced sputum of COPD patients
Received 9 July 2008; accepted 2 March 2009. published online 31 March 2009.
Summary
Aim
The aim of the current study was to evaluate apoptosis in induced sputum neutrophils and to investigate the relationship between the number of apoptotic cells and clinical parameters in COPD patients.
Methods
Twenty-four COPD ex-smoker patients and 10 healthy controls were included in the study. All subjects underwent clinical evaluation and sputum induction. Sputum cell in situ apoptosis was identified using white light microscopy and TUNEL assay technique. Apoptosis of neutrophils obtained by sputum induction was expressed as apoptotic rate (AR=percentage of apoptotic neutrophils over the number of neutrophils measured).
Results
TUNEL assay revealed statistically significant higher AR in COPD patients than controls (p=0.004). Patients with FEV1<50%pred had significantly higher median (IQR) AR (%) compared to patients with FEV1≥50% [26.3 (16–29) vs 13.1 (8.6–21), p=0.01]. No significant association was found between the number of apoptotic cells and age, symptoms or medication used.
Conclusion
The significantly increased apoptotic rate of neutrophils that were found in COPD patients with advanced disease compared to controls might reflect either a deregulation of apoptosis of neutrophils or, a reduced clearance of apoptotic neutrophils from the airways. The pathophysiologic significance of the observed phenomenon has to be further explored.
ABSTRACT