The Phagocytic Function And Related Gene Expression Of Airway Macrophages In Asthmatic And COPD Patients

OBJECTIVE:To determination phagocytic function of macrophages and explore the changes of expression of the phagocytic function related genes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthmatic patients.PATIENTS AND METHODS:(1) The twenty cases of COPD, twenty cases of asthmatic patients were recruited from the outpatient department of Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University. The twenty healthy volunteers were recruited from medical students, medical staffs. Inclusion criteria:COPD patients in stable stage. Asthmatic patients of clinical controlled or with mild to moderate asthma. Healthy volunteers were those having their health examinations without abnormal findings. Exclusion criteria:Those with any other disease.(2)Methods:Sputum (about 2-4g) was obtained by sputum induction. Macrophages were isolated and phagocytic function test were carried on using fluorescein conjugated S. Aureus. Phagocytic index (PI) were calculated. Phagocytic-related gene expression (at transcription level) was tested using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR method.RESULT:2.1 PI in control group, asthmatic group and COPD group were 85±9%, 73±10%,78±7%respectively.2.2 Compared with the control group, the expression of TLR4 (at transcription level) in the asthmatic group was down-regulated, whereas the expression (at transcription level) of TLR4 in COPD group was up-regulated.2.3 There is no significant difference of expression of SR-A1,MACRO and TLR2 in control group, asthmatic group and COPD group respectively.CONCLUSION:Though phagocytic function of airway macrophages in both asthmatic and COPD group were decreased, the decreased phagocytosis of asthmatic group (PI=73±10%, p<0.05) was more significant. Compared with the control group, the expression of TLR4 (at transcription level) in the asthmatic group was down-regulated, whereas the expression(at transcription level) of TLR4 in COPD group was up-regulated. There is no significant difference of expression of SR-A1,MACRO and TLR2 in control group, asthmatic group and COPD group respectively.