Pattern of antiendothelial cell antibodies in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

BackgroundAutoimmune mechanisms have been recently recognized as being partly involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Circulating autoantibodies have been detected in patients with COPD.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to estimate the level of antiendothelial cell antibodies (AECA) in COPD patients in the various GOLD stages.Patients and methodsA comparative study assessed the level of AECA in three groups. COPD patients without cor pulmonale (18), with cor pulmonale (12), and the control group (10), from Beni-Suef University Hospital. Each group underwent background questionnaires and BMI measures. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the level of AECA in serum (ng/ml). Right ventricular systolic pressure (mm Hg) was measured in COPD patients with cor pulmonale.ResultsThe studied groups consisted of male patients (age: 50–80 years). BMI was significantly lower (20.36) in the COPD group with cor pulmonale. Spirometry forced expiratory volume and forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity ratios showed significantly lower levels among the COPD patients without cor pulmonale. AECA showed a lower level in the control group (26.25) compared with the COPD without cor pulmonale (57.87) and much lowered when compared to cor pulmonale group (71.47). The level of AECD was higher in the patients in third (74.78) and fourth stages (79.10) compared with those in the second stage (58.75).ConclusionThere is a much higher level of AECA in COPD patients with cor pulmonale and in advanced stages in comparison with patients without cor pulmonale and at early stages, and a significant positive correlation was found between AECA levels and right ventricular systolic pressure.