Abstract
Introduction: The degradation of elastin, a protein network that critically provides tissue elasticity and resilience, is an important feature in normal ageing. Our previous study has shown that this age-dependent elastin degradation is enhanced in COPD, but whether a similar effect would be observed in bronchiectasis (BE) is unknown.
Aim: To compare the relationships between age and circulating desmosine (cDES), a breakdown product of elastin, in patients with BE and control volunteers.
Methods: Patients with BE (n=433, age 67 (IQR 16) years, FEV1(pred) 72 (50-91), the TayBridge registry) and controls (n=595, age 60 (IQR 16) years, FEV1(pred) 112 (111-113), from the ECLIPSE cohort) were included. cDES levels were measured using a validated LC-MS/MS method. Batch effects (~6%) were corrected according to quality controls. The slopes of the regression lines were compared using a linear mixed effects model.
Results: Log(cDES) levels were positivity associated with age in both the control and BE groups (rho=0.33 and 0.41, respectively, p<0.0001). The positive associations remained highly significant taking into account sex, FEV1 or pack-years smoking history (p<0.0001). Linear mixed effects analyses showed that the slope of elastin degradation to age regression was 45% greater in BE patients compared with control subjects (6.3 vs 4.5 log(ng·L−1) per year, p=0.02).
Conclusion: These results indicate that age-dependent elastin degradation is accelerated in BE.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA2399.
This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2021