title: Anti-tissue antibodies are related to lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multicomponent disease. Autoimmunity can contribute to the pathogenesis of COPD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates the prevalence of circulating antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-tissue (AT) antibodies, two common markers of autoimmunity, in COPD and their relationship with several components of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined lung function, the serum titers of ANA and AT by immunofluorescence, and the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) by high sensitivity nephelometry in 328 patients with clinically stable COPD and in 67 healthy controls recruited in the PAC-COPD study. Multiple linear and logistic regression analysis was used to analyze results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of abnormal ANA and AT titers was 34% and 26% in patients and 3% and 6% in controls, respectively. Levels of AT greater than or equal to 1:320 were seen in 21% of patients with COPD and were independently associated with the severity of airflow limitation and gas transfer impairment (P < 0.05). Neither ANA or AT titers was related to body mass index, current smoking status, use of inhaled steroids, the Charlson index, or serum C-reactive protein values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Between a quarter and a third of patients with clinically stable COPD present abnormal titers of circulating ANA and AT. The observed relationship between AT and lung function supports a role for autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of COPD.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Son Dureta, C/Andrea Doria 55, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
authors.forename: Belén
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Núñez
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sauleda
authors.forename: Josep Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Antó
authors.forename: Maria Rosa
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Julià
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orozco
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Monsó
authors.forename: Aina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noguera
authors.forename: Federico P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garcia-Aymerich
authors.forename: Alvar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agustí
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D002097:C-Reactive Protein