Low human beta-defensin-2 levels in the sputum of COPD patients are associated with the risk of exacerbations

Feng, Shengchuan1; Yang, Yuqiong1; Wang, Fengyan1; Shi, Weijuan1; Xu, Jiaxuan1; Tang, Guoyan1; Xie, Jiaxing1; Zhong, Nanshan1; Liang, Zhenyu1; Chen, Rongchang2,3

2023-03-31

10.1186/s12890-023-02364-0

BMC PULMONARY MEDICINE   Impact Factor & Quartile

1471-2466

RationaleChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complicated chronic inflammatory disease. It is important to investigate the characteristics of acute exacerbation of COPD to develop new therapeutic strategies.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the relationship between the human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) levels and aggravation of COPD.MethodsWe detected the sputum hBD-2 level of 254 patients from Guangzhou, China, for 2 years. The study participants were categorized into the COPD group (n = 203, GOLD 0-4) and the control group (n = 51, 40-79 years old). At baseline, 12th month, and 24th month, we detected the sputum hBD-2 level and levels of cytokines, such as CXCL10, CXCL11, and IFN.ResultsAt baseline, there were no significant differences in the sputum and serum hBD-2 levels between the patients and the controls. However, the sputum hBD-2 levels of patients who had at least one symptom aggravation over the next 2 years were significantly lower than those of patients without any exacerbations (1130.9 +/- 858.4 pg/mL vs. 2103.7 +/- 1294.2 pg/mL, respectively; p = 0.001). Nevertheless, there were no statistically significant differences in the sputum hBD-2 levels between patients (no aggravation history) and controls (2084.9 +/- 1317.6 pg/mL vs. 2152.5 +/- 1251.6 pg/mL, respectively; p = 0.626). We used a logistic regression model to assess the relationship between aggravation and sputum hBD-2 levels. Interestingly, we found that low hBD-2 level (< 1000 pg/mL) was significantly associated with exacerbations. Specifically, patients with low hBD-2 levels were more likely to experience exacerbations in the next 12 months (0.333 vs. 0.117; p = 0.001). Moreover, we compared the hBD-2 levels between controls and patients with GOLD 3-4 and found that participants with bacteria (+) and/or viruses (+) had an association between hBD-2 level and disease severity (p = 0.02).ConclusionPatients at risk of exacerbations are more likely to have lower sputum hBD-2 levels. These results have important implications for future therapies for COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hBD-2 Exacerbations Microbial colonization Cytokines

SCI

English

Corresponding

Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province["C2019001","C2019031","C2021073"] ; Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou[202201020451] ; National Key Research and Development Program of China[2022YFF0710802] ; Sustainable Development Project of Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (China)[KCXFZ202002011008256]

Respiratory System

Respiratory System

WOS:000960775100002

BMC

Web of Science

1.Guangzhou Med Univ, Guangzhou Inst Resp Hlth, Natl Clin Res Ctr Resp Dis, Natl Ctr Resp Med,Affiliated Hosp 1,State Key Lab, Guangzhou 510120, Peoples R China
2.Jinan Univ, Shenzhen Peoples Hosp, Shenzhen Inst Resp Dis, Clin Med Coll 2,Dept Pulm & Crit Care Med, Guangzhou, Peoples R China
3.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Affiliated Hosp 1, Shenzhen 518020, Peoples R China

Feng, Shengchuan,Yang, Yuqiong,Wang, Fengyan,et al. Low human beta-defensin-2 levels in the sputum of COPD patients are associated with the risk of exacerbations[J]. BMC PULMONARY MEDICINE,2023,23(1).

Feng, Shengchuan.,Yang, Yuqiong.,Wang, Fengyan.,Shi, Weijuan.,Xu, Jiaxuan.,...&Chen, Rongchang.(2023).Low human beta-defensin-2 levels in the sputum of COPD patients are associated with the risk of exacerbations.BMC PULMONARY MEDICINE,23(1).

Feng, Shengchuan,et al."Low human beta-defensin-2 levels in the sputum of COPD patients are associated with the risk of exacerbations".BMC PULMONARY MEDICINE 23.1(2023).