TY - JOUR
T1 - Decreased T lymphocyte infiltration in bronchial biopsies of subjects with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
AU - Di Stefano, A.
AU - Capelli, A.
AU - Lusuardi, M.
AU - Caramori, G.
AU - Balbo, P.
AU - Ioli, F.
AU - Sacco, S.
AU - Gnemmi, I.
AU - Brun, P.
AU - Adcock, I. M.
AU - Balbi, B.
AU - Barnes, P. J.
AU - Chung, K. F.
AU - Donner, C. F.
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - Background: Studies on the inflammatory process in the large airways of patients with mild/moderato COPD have shown a prevalent T lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration of the bronchial mucosa. However, bronchial inflammation in more severe disease has not been extensively studied. Objective: The aim of the present study was to characterize the lymphocyte infiltration in the bronchial mucosa of subjects with severe, compared to mild, COPD, and to examine the relationship between airflow limitation and T lymphocyte numbers in the bronchial mucosa. Methods: We examined bronchial biopsies obtained from nine smokers with severe airflow limitation, nine smokers with mild/moderate airflow limitation and 14 smokers with normal lung function. Immunohistochemical methods on cryostat sections were used to assess the number of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ cells and the number of CD3+ cells coexpressing the chemokine receptor CCR5 (CCR5+CD3+) in the subepithelium. Results: Subjects with severe COPD had lower numbers of CD3+, CD8+ and CCR5+CD3+ cells than mild/moderate COPD (P <0.012, P <0.02 and P <0.02, respectively) and control smokers (P <0.015, P <0.005 and P <0.015, respectively). In subjects with airflow limitation the number of CD3+ and CD8+ cells was inversely correlated with the degree of airway obstruction (r = 0.59, P <0.015 and r = 0.52, P <0.032, respectively). Conclusions: Bronchial inflammation in severe COPD is characterized by lower numbers of CD3+ and CD8+ cells and decreased numbers of CD3+ cells coexpressing the chemokine receptor CCR5. T lymphocyte infiltration is inversely correlated with the degree of airflow limitation.
AB - Background: Studies on the inflammatory process in the large airways of patients with mild/moderato COPD have shown a prevalent T lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration of the bronchial mucosa. However, bronchial inflammation in more severe disease has not been extensively studied. Objective: The aim of the present study was to characterize the lymphocyte infiltration in the bronchial mucosa of subjects with severe, compared to mild, COPD, and to examine the relationship between airflow limitation and T lymphocyte numbers in the bronchial mucosa. Methods: We examined bronchial biopsies obtained from nine smokers with severe airflow limitation, nine smokers with mild/moderate airflow limitation and 14 smokers with normal lung function. Immunohistochemical methods on cryostat sections were used to assess the number of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ cells and the number of CD3+ cells coexpressing the chemokine receptor CCR5 (CCR5+CD3+) in the subepithelium. Results: Subjects with severe COPD had lower numbers of CD3+, CD8+ and CCR5+CD3+ cells than mild/moderate COPD (P <0.012, P <0.02 and P <0.02, respectively) and control smokers (P <0.015, P <0.005 and P <0.015, respectively). In subjects with airflow limitation the number of CD3+ and CD8+ cells was inversely correlated with the degree of airway obstruction (r = 0.59, P <0.015 and r = 0.52, P <0.032, respectively). Conclusions: Bronchial inflammation in severe COPD is characterized by lower numbers of CD3+ and CD8+ cells and decreased numbers of CD3+ cells coexpressing the chemokine receptor CCR5. T lymphocyte infiltration is inversely correlated with the degree of airflow limitation.
KW - Airflow limitation
KW - Biopsy
KW - CCR5 receptor
KW - Inflammation
KW - T lymphocytes
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U2 - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2001.01098.x
DO - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2001.01098.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 11422154
AN - SCOPUS:18344375064
VL - 31
SP - 893
EP - 902
JO - Clinical and Experimental Allergy
JF - Clinical and Experimental Allergy
SN - 0954-7894
IS - 6
ER -