Abstract
Objective:The aim of this study was to analyze a possible contribution of human neutrophil defensins and secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI) to the induction of airway epithelial changes such as squamous cell metaplasia.
Materials and methods:The presence of these molecules and the number of proliferating (Ki-67-positive) epithelial cells was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in bronchial epithelium from subjects with (n = 15) or without (n = 14) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Results:Our data demonstrate higher numbers of defensin-positive (p = 0.0001), elastase-positive (p = 0.0001) and Ki-67-positive (p = 0.0001) cells in areas with squamous cell metaplasia as compared to areas with intact or damaged epithelium, while the reverse was observed for SLPI expression (p = 0.002). No differences were observed between subjects with or without COPD, nor between current smokers and those that had stopped smoking.
Conclusions:These data are in line with a role of defensins in the hyperproliferative phenotype of squamous metaplastic lesions in the airways. This role does not seem to be restricted to patients with COPD.
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Received 25 September 2003; returned for revision 3 November 2003, accepted by W. van den Berg 22 December 2003
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Aarbio, J., van Schadewijk, A., Stolk, J. et al. Human neutrophil defensins and secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor in squamous metaplastic epithelium of bronchial airways. Inflamm. res. 53, 230–238 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-003-1240-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-003-1240-x