Comparison of biomarkers in serum and induced sputum of patients with occupational asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
OBJECTIVE
Occupational asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with the airway inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to compare the sputum and serum markers of inflammation in patients with occupational asthma and COPD.


METHODS
The study group included 20 patients with stable COPD, 24 patients with asthma, and 22 healthy subjects. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 levels in serum and induced sputum as well as fibrinogen and CRP in serum were determined in all the subjects.


RESULTS
Higher concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-9 in induced sputum and an increased concentration of acute-phase proteins in serum were observed in COPD patients compared with healthy subjects. Higher concentrations of IL-1β and MMP-9 in induced sputum and a higher concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected in COPD patients than in asthmatic subjects. Never smokers with COPD had significantly higher levels of IL-1β and MMP-9 in induced sputum than never smoker controls. There was no significant difference between the serum and sputum levels of cytokines and MMP-9 of never smokers and smokers with COPD.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher concentrations of IL-1β and MMP-9 in induced sputum and a higher concentration of CRP in serum allow distinguishing between biomarker profiles of COPD patients and asthmatic patients. Occupational exposure induces a systemic proinflammatory state with increased levels of acute-phase proteins in stable COPD patients. MMP-9 and IL-1β concentrations are increased in induced sputum of never smokers with COPD, which is associated with occupational exposure.
Department of Occupational Diseases and Environmental Health, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine.
Aneta
A
Kleniewska
Jolanta
J
Walusiak-Skorupa
Wojciech
W
Piotrowski
Ewa
E
Nowakowska-Świrta
Marta
M
Wiszniewska
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C579270:MMP9 protein, human; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9