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.

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis

Journal ID (publisher-id): International Journal of COPD

Title: International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Publisher: Dove Medical Press

ISSN (Print): 1176-9106

ISSN (Electronic): 1178-2005

Publication date Collection: 2019

Publication date (Electronic): 25 January 2019

Volume: 14

Pages: 321-330

Affiliations

[1 ]Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University, Atakent Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

[2 ]Department of Physiology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey

[3 ]Department of Biochemistry, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey, huzun59@ 123456hotmail.com

[4 ]Department of Biochemistry, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey

[5 ]Deparment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Halic University, I˙stanbul, Turkey

[6 ]Clinic of Chest Diseases, Yedikule Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Training and Research Hospital, I˙stanbul, Turkey

Author notes

Correspondence: Hafize Uzun, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, 34303 Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey, Tel [phone], Fax [phone], Email huzun59@ 123456hotmail.com

Article

Publisher ID: copd-14-321

DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S185602

PMC ID: 6354692

Copyright statement: © 2019 Uysal et al. This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited

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Categories

Subject: Original Research