Systemic biomarkers of inflammation and haemostasis in patients with chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to investigate mediators of inflammation and haemostasis in patients with chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA), a locally, destructive process of the lung due to invasion by Aspergillus species.


METHODS
Measurements of selected biomarkers in 10 patients with CNPA and 19 healthy, matched controls were performed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and multiplex methodology. The gene expressions of relevant biomarkers were analyzed with real-time quantitative RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Increased concentrations of circulating mediators of inflammation interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, RANTES, TNF-α, ICAM-1 and mediators involved in endothelial activation and thrombosis (vWF, TF and PAI-1) were observed in patients with CNPA. The concentration of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased both in plasma and in PBMC in the patient population. The gene expression of CD40L was decreased in PBMC from the patient group, accompanied by decreased concentrations of soluble (s) CD40L in the circulation.


CONCLUSIONS
The proinflammatory response against Aspergillus may be counteracted by reduced CD40L and sCD40L, as well as increased IL-10, which may compromise the immune response against Aspergillus in patients with CNPA.
Research Institute for Internal Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. e.k.rodland@medisin.uio.no
Ernst Kristian
EK
Rødland
Thor
T
Ueland
Stine
S
Bjørnsen
Ellen Lund
EL
Sagen
Christen Peder
CP
Dahl
Anne
A
Naalsund
Tom Eirik
TE
Mollnes
Frank R
FR
Brosstad
Fredrik
F
Müller
Pål
P
Aukrust
Stig S
SS
Frøland
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D055744:Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
D015415:Biomarkers; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D016207:Cytokines