title: An evaluation of CD39 as a novel immunoregulatory mechanism invoked by COPD.
abstract: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are characterized by increased pulmonary and systemic inflammation and commonly caused by bacterial and/or viral infection. Little is known about the T-cell dysregulation in AECOPD that promotes these outcomes. CD39 is an ectonucleotidase able to hydrolyse adenosine triphosphate to create adenosine that may inhibit T-cell responses in patients with AECOPD. Here T-cell expression of CD39 measured by flow cytometry was higher in AECOPD patients than stable COPD patients or healthy controls. Higher expression of CD39 was associated with higher levels of plasma soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor but lower interferon-γ (IFNγ) levels in supernatants from staphylococcal enterotoxin-B stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This links increased expression of CD39 with systemic inflammation and impaired T-cell responses (e.g. IFNγ). The blockade of CD39 pathways may be a novel approach to the control of AECOPD, reducing the dependency on antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Respiratory Health, School of Medicine & Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Stem Cell Unit, Institute of Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia. Electronic address: dino.tan@uwa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Dino B A
authors.initials: DBA
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell Unit, Institute of Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Nathanael E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell Unit, Institute of Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Science, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Price
authors.affiliation: Centre for Respiratory Health, School of Medicine & Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Stem Cell Unit, Institute of Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Yuben P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Moodley
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D001081:Apyrase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018450:Disease Progression; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000276:immunology*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000097:blood; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D004768:Enterotoxins; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C031818:enterotoxin B, staphylococcal; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D001081:Apyrase; C067869:CD39 antigen
keywords: AECOPD; CD39; COPD; IFNγ; T-cell