Evaluation of plasma antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and nuclear factor-kappaB levels in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Background

Antimicrobial peptides are effectors of host defence against infection and inflammation and can encourage wound repair.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to investigate the plasma antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) levels in patients with stable COPD compared with a control group and to highlight their importance in immune inflammation.

Methods

One hundred and thirty-eight stable COPD patients and 33 control subjects were enrolled in the study. The COPD patients were classified into four groups based on FEV ₁ (groups I–IV) and also divided into “low-risk and high-risk” groups (groups A–B [low risk], C–D [high risk]).

Results

Plasma LL-37 levels were significantly lower while plasma NF-κB levels of the COPD patients were significantly higher than those of the control subjects ( P<0.001, both). LL-37 levels were significantly lower in group IV than in groups I, II, and III ( P<0.01, all). NF-κB levels were significantly higher in groups III and IV than in groups I and II ( P<0.05, both). There was a positive correlation between FEV ₁ and FEV ₁/FVC in all COPD patients ( r=0.742, P<0.001) and in group D ( r=0.741, P<0.001). Furthermore, there was an inverse correlation between LL-37 and NF-κB in both the groups C ( r=−0.566, P<0.001) and D ( r=−0.694, P<0.001) and group C+D combined ( r=−0.593, P<0.001). Furthermore, in group C, LL-37 and FEV ₁ were positively correlated ( r=0.633, P<0.001).

Conclusion

Our study indicated that plasma LL-37 and NF-κB may play an important role in chronic immune inflammation. Decreased LL-37 levels may be particularly high risk for patients in stage IV disease. The role of LL-37 as a target for treatment of the immune system and COPD must be widely evaluated.