Human Neutrophil Peptides sputum levels in symptomatic smokers and COPD patients

G. Paone 1,2, V. Conti 3, A. Leone 4, G. Schmid 2, G. Puglisi 5, G. Giannunzio 5, C. Terzano 3

1 Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, S. Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome (Italy) 2 IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi-ONLUS, Rome (Italy) 3 Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, Respiratory Diseases Unit, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Fondazione E. Lorillard Spencer Cenci, Rome (Italy) 4 Pathology Unit, S. Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome (Italy) 5 S. Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome (Italy)

---

• Respiratory Medicine

Background and Objectives: Human Neutrophil Peptides (HNP) are major neutrophils’ products which may contribute to the airway inflammation and lung remodelling during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to assess whether HNP sputum concentrations could be used as indicators of airway inflammation and progression towards pulmonary functional impairment, and correlate with the degree of airways obstruction.

Materials and Methods: We measured, by ELISA tests, HNP concentrations from 37 symptomatic smokers and 34 COPD patients. All participants underwent pulmonary function tests. Sputum samples were collected at the enrolment, and 6 months after smoking cessation. Differences between groups and correlation coefficients between variables were determined using non parametric tests.

Results: Sputum HNP concentrations were higher in COPD patients as compared to symptomatic smokers (14 ± 1.5 µg/ml vs 1.6 ± 0.4 µg/ml; p Discussion: Sputum levels of HNP may represent a marker of severity of functional impairment in COPD. Our data support the hypothesis that HNP may have a role in smoking- and COPD-related lung inflammation.

Corresponding Author: Claudio Terzano, MD; e-mail: cterzano@tin.it

Free PDF Download