RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Does leptin play a cytokine-like role within the airways of COPD patients?
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 398
OP 405
DO 10.1183/09031936.05.00092404
VO 26
IS 3
A1 A. Bruno
A1 P. Chanez
A1 G. Chiappara
A1 L. Siena
A1 S. Giammanco
A1 M. Gjomarkaj
A1 G. Bonsignore
A1 J. Bousquet
A1 A. M. Vignola
YR 2005
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/26/3/398.abstract
AB The leptin-leptin receptor system might be up-regulated in the airways of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In bronchial biopsies obtained from normal subjects and smokers, with and without COPD, the present study examined leptin and leptin-receptor expression and their co-localisation in airway and inflammatory cells. Combining immunohistochemistry with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labelling techniques, apoptosis in airway and inflammatory cells and in leptin and leptin-receptor expressing cells was investigated. In the epithelial cells both leptin and leptin-receptor expression was higher in normal subjects than in smokers and COPD subjects. By contrast, in the sub-mucosa, leptin was over-expressed in COPD when compared with normal subjects and smokers. Leptin and its receptor were co-localised, mainly with activated T cells (CD45R0) and CD8+ T lymphocytes. In smokers, apoptosis was found in some inflammatory cells, whereas in COPD inflammatory cells, leptin and leptin-receptor positive cells were not apoptotic. Leptin expression was related to COPD severity and assessed using the Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease classification. In conclusion, the present study shows an increased leptin expression in bronchial mucosa of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, associated with airway inflammation and airflow obstruction.