Nuclear localisation of p65 in sputum macrophages but not in sputum neutrophils during COPD exacerbations.
Thorax 2003;
58:348-51. [PMID:
12668802 PMCID:
PMC1746629 DOI:
10.1136/thorax.58.4.348]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Exacerbations represent an important feature of the clinical manifestation and natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nuclear localisation of p65 is a signal of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation. A study was undertaken to evaluate whether NF-kappaB activation is modified in sputum cells during COPD exacerbations.
METHODS
Total and nuclear p65 immunoreactivity was measured by immunocytochemistry in the sputum cells of 11 smokers with moderate COPD during an exacerbation and after 6-8 weeks of clinical stability.
RESULTS
Total sputum cell count was significantly increased during exacerbations from a median (IQR) of 880 (510-1865) to 1914.5 (1065-3205) x 10(3)/ml (p<0.05). The main inflammatory cells in the sputum were neutrophils (83.2 (75.4-92.3)%) and macrophages (14.7 (2.6-21.6)%) and their relative proportion did not change during exacerbations. Nuclear staining for p65 was absent in sputum neutrophils, both during exacerbations and in the stable phase. In contrast, the percentage of macrophages expressing nuclear p65 increased significantly during exacerbations from a median (IQR) of 16 (7-24)% to 41.4 (6-69)% (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
NF-kappaB appears to be activated in sputum macrophages but not in sputum neutrophils during exacerbations of COPD
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