Human neutrophil defensins and secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor in squamous metaplastic epithelium of bronchial airways.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze a possible contribution of human neutrophil defensins and secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI) to the induction of airway epithelial changes such as squamous cell metaplasia.


METHODS
The presence of these molecules and the number of proliferating (Ki-67-positive) epithelial cells was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in bronchial epithelium from subjects with (n = 15) or without (n = 14) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


RESULTS
Our data demonstrate higher numbers of defensin-positive (p = 0.0001), elastase-positive (p = 0.0001) and Ki-67-positive (p = 0.0001) cells in areas with squamous cell metaplasia as compared to areas with intact or damaged epithelium, while the reverse was observed for SLPI expression (p = 0.002). No differences were observed between subjects with or without COPD, nor between current smokers and those that had stopped smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
These data are in line with a role of defensins in the hyperproliferative phenotype of squamous metaplastic lesions in the airways. This role does not seem to be restricted to patients with COPD.
Aarbiou
J
J
Department of Pulmonology, C3-P, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
van Schadewijk
A
A
Stolk
J
J
Sont
J K
JK
de Boer
W I
WI
Rabe
K F
KF
van Krieken
J H J M
JH
Mauad
T
T
Hiemstra
P S
PS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001980:Bronchi / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D023082:Defensins / Q000737:chemistry*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D012907:Smoking
D023082:Defensins; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins; C506814:SLPI protein, human; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor