Gedik Ahmet Hakan, Cakir Erkan, Gokdemir Yasemin, Uyan Zeynep Seda, Kocyigit Abdurrahim, Torun Emel, Karadag Bulent, Ersu Refika, Karakoc Fazilet
Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Clin Respir J. 2017 Mar;11(2):243-247. doi: 10.1111/crj.12331. Epub 2015 Jun 30.
The antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) human β-defensins and cathelicidin (LL-37) are key factors in innate and adaptive immune responses of the respiratory tract and play an important role in many respiratory diseases. No data are available in the literature about the levels of these AMPs in paediatric patients with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (BO). This study aimed to determine human β-defensin 2 (hBD2) and LL-37 levels and compare between post-infectious BO patients and the control group.
The patients diagnosed with post-infectious BO between September 2012 and 2013 and age- and-gender matched healthy controls were enrolled in this multi-center study. Serum hBD2 and LL37 levels were determined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.
Sixty-three post-infectious BO patients and 65 healthy children (median age 73 ± 55 and 78.74 ± 36.32 months, respectively) were enrolled in the study. The mean of hBD2 levels in patients and the control group were 1.06 ± 0.24 and 0.67 ± 0.72 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean of LL-37 levels in patients and the control group were 72.13 ± 29.06 and 50.10 ± 21.98 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.001). No correlation was found between these AMPs levels and chronological age, age at the time of diagnosis, gender, Z-scores of weight and length, hospitalization numbers, the disease history before diagnosis and 25-OH D vitamin levels.
This is the first study to demonstrate the higher levels of serum hBD2 and LL-37 levels in paediatric post-infectious BO patients. These AMPs may have important roles in the immune systems and pathogenesis of these patients.
抗菌肽（AMPs）人β-防御素和cathelicidin（LL-37）是呼吸道固有免疫和适应性免疫反应的关键因素，在许多呼吸道疾病中发挥重要作用。文献中尚无关于感染后闭塞性细支气管炎（BO）患儿这些抗菌肽水平的数据。本研究旨在测定人β-防御素2（hBD2）和LL-37水平，并比较感染后BO患者与对照组。
2012年9月至2013年期间诊断为感染后BO的患者以及年龄和性别匹配的健康对照者纳入了这项多中心研究。采用酶联免疫吸附测定法测定血清hBD2和LL37水平。
63例感染后BO患者和65名健康儿童（中位年龄分别为73±55个月和78.74±36.32个月）纳入研究。患者组和对照组hBD2水平的平均值分别为1.06±0.24和0.67±0.72 ng/mL（P<0.001）。患者组和对照组LL-37水平的平均值分别为72.13±29.06和50.10±21.98 ng/mL（P<0.001）。未发现这些抗菌肽水平与实际年龄、诊断时年龄、性别、体重和身高的Z评分、住院次数、诊断前疾病史以及25-羟基维生素D水平之间存在相关性。
这是第一项证明感染后BO患儿血清hBD2和LL-37水平较高的研究。这些抗菌肽可能在这些患者的免疫系统和发病机制中发挥重要作用。
