title: Human neutrophil defensins and secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor in squamous metaplastic epithelium of bronchial airways.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, C3-P, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aarbiou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Schadewijk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stolk
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sont
authors.forename: W I
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: de Boer
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Rabe
authors.forename: J H J M
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: van Krieken
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mauad
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Hiemstra
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D023082:Defensins; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins; C506814:SLPI protein, human; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor