RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The role of chaperone α-Bcrystallin (HspB5) in COPD pathogenesis JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P1752 VO 40 IS Suppl 56 A1 Radostina Cherneva A1 Ognian Georgiev A1 Daniela Petrova A1 Vesela Ivanova A1 Nedka Trifonova A1 Maria Stamenova YR 2012 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P1752.abstract AB Background: α-Bcrystallin (HspB5) is a chaperone whose role as a marker of innate immunity activation as well as its therapeutic potential have recently been investigated in several inflammatory diseases – multiple sclerosis, myocardial ischaemia, Guillain Barre syndrome.Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the role of α-Bcrystallin in COPD pathogenesis and inflammation.Materials: Plasma levels of α-Bcrystallin were studied in 163 patients – 52 healthy non-COPD smokers; 20 COPD smokers I - II stage GOLD; 43 COPD smokers – III-IV stage (GOLD) and forty-eight patients with acute inflammatory respiratory disease. The plasma levels of α-Bcrystallin antibodies were determined by ELISA (human anti alpha-Bcrystrallin Abcam), and were confirmed with Western blotting.Results: The mean levels of anti - α-Bcrystallin antibodies were: in non-COPD smokers – 0,291 OD; in COPD smokers – 0,352OD; in healthy non-COPD smokers – 0,433 OD. There was a statistically significant difference between COPD smokers and healthy non-COPD smokers (p-0,010). The same could be observed comparing the group of patients with acute inflammation and non – COPD healthy smokers (p-0,007). There was not a statistically significant difference in patients with mild/moderate and those with severe COPD.Conclusion: α-Bcrystallin is increased in patients with inflammatory lung diseases. Though unspecific it could be used in a panel of markers discerning COPD smokers from healthy non- COPD smokers. Being a regulator of innate immunity and a therapeutic anti-inflammatory agent its exact role in COPD pathogenesis and therapy should further be explored.