High Expression of Cathepsin E is Associated with the Severity of Airflow Limitation in Patients with COPD.
BACKGROUND
It was reported that Cathepsin E (Cat E) plays a critical role in antigen processing and in the development of pulmonary emphysema. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Cat E and airflow limitation in the pathogenesis of COPD.


METHODS
Sixty-five patients with COPD, 20 smoking control subjects without COPD and 15 non-smoking healthy control subjects were enrolled. Cat E and EIC (Elastase inhibitory capacity) expressions were measured by ELISA in sputum and serum samples and compared according to different subgroups.


RESULTS
Cat E concentrations were significantly higher in patients with COPD than smoking control and non-smoking control subjects (P < 0.01). The levels of CatE were inversely correlated with FEV1% predicted in COPD patients (r = -0.95, P < 0.01). The levels of EIC were inversely positively correlated with FEV1% predicted in COPD patients (r = 0.926, P < 0.01). Levels of Cat E were also inversely correlated with the levels of EIC (r = -0.922, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Cat E contributes to the severity of airflow limitation during progression of COPD.
a 1 Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.|b 2 Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Soochow University , Suzhou , China.
Wei-Jun
WJ
Cao
a 1 Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.|b 2 Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Soochow University , Suzhou , China.
Man-Hui
MH
Li
a 1 Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.
Jian-Xiong
JX
Li
a 1 Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.
Xin
X
Xu
c 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.
Sheng-Xiang
SX
Ren
a 1 Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.
Bhavana
B
Rajbanshi
a 1 Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.|b 2 Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Soochow University , Suzhou , China.
Jin-Fu
JF
Xu
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D020059:Cathepsin E / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013183:Sputum / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D020059:Cathepsin E
COPD; Cathepsin E; airflow limitation; airway remodeling