Distinctive role of αB-crystallin in COPD pathogenesis of smokers and non-smokers

Abstract

Background: Heat shock protein - HspB5, also known as αB-crystallin (αBC) is a chaperone, associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare αBCplasma antibodies and its tissue expression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) smokers and non-smokers. Materials: Plasma levels of anti-αBCantibodies were studied in 230 patients:1) 52 non-COPD smokers; 2) 83 COPD smokers; 3) 47 COPD non-smokers; 4) 48 acute inflammatory respiratory diseasepatients. They were determined by an ELISA (Calbiochem, IgG specificanti-human antibody). Immunochemistry was applied to study the tissue expression of the αBCantigen. Itwas compared between:1) COPD smokers (28); 2) COPD non-smokers (26); 3)age-related emphysema(14). Results: The average anti-αBC antibodies were: in non-COPD smokers - 0.491±0.18nM; COPD smokers - 0.859±0.27nm; COPD non-smokers – 0.50±0.21nm; in patients with inflammatory lung diseases - 0.433±0.22nm.There was a statistically significant difference between COPD smokers and COPD – non-smokers (p Conclusion:We may assume that, though unspecific,αBCplays a distinctive role in COPD pathogenesis of smokers and non-smokers. As αBC is a regulator of innate immunity and a therapeutic anti-inflammatory agent, its exact role in COPD pathogenesis and therapy should be explored.