D Gibeon1, J Zhu2, A Sogbesan3, W Banya4, C Rossios2, J Saito2, J P Rocha4, J H Hull3, A N Menzies-Gow3, P K Bhavsar2, K F Chung5. 1. Experimental Studies, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: david.gibeon07@imperial.ac.uk. 2. Experimental Studies, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom. 3. Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom. 4. Experimental Studies, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom. 5. Experimental Studies, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: f.chung@imperial.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The presence of lipids in alveolar macrophages (AMs) may impair their phagocytic response, and determine airway inflammation and obstruction. OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors such as severity of asthma, chronic cough, airway inflammation and obesity that may influence the presence of lipids in lung macrophages. METHODS: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained from 38 asthmatics (21 severe and 17 mild/moderate), 16 subjects with chronic cough and 11 healthy control subjects. The presence of lipids in macrophages was detected using an Oil-red-O stain and an index of lipid-laden macrophages (LLMI) was obtained. RESULTS: LLMI scores were higher in healthy subjects (median 48 [IQR 10-61]) and the severe asthma group (37 [11.5-61]) compared to mild/moderate asthmatics (7 [0.5-37]; p < 0.05 each). Subjects reporting a history of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) had higher LLMI values (41.5 [11.3-138] versus 13 [0-39.3], p = 0.02). There was no significant correlation between LLMI and chronic cough, BAL cell differential counts, FEV1, FEV1/FVC or body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSIONS: The reduced LLMI in mild/moderate asthma may be related to lower incidence of GORD. However, this was not related to the degree of airflow obstruction, obesity or airway inflammation.
BACKGROUND: The presence of lipids in alveolar macrophages (AMs) may impair their phagocytic response, and determine airway inflammation and obstruction. OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors such as severity of asthma, chronic cough, airway inflammation and obesity that may influence the presence of lipids in lung macrophages. METHODS: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained from 38 asthmatics (21 severe and 17 mild/moderate), 16 subjects with chronic cough and 11 healthy control subjects. The presence of lipids in macrophages was detected using an Oil-red-O stain and an index of lipid-laden macrophages (LLMI) was obtained. RESULTS: LLMI scores were higher in healthy subjects (median 48 [IQR 10-61]) and the severe asthma group (37 [11.5-61]) compared to mild/moderate asthmatics (7 [0.5-37]; p < 0.05 each). Subjects reporting a history of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) had higher LLMI values (41.5 [11.3-138] versus 13 [0-39.3], p = 0.02). There was no significant correlation between LLMI and chronic cough, BAL cell differential counts, FEV1, FEV1/FVC or body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSIONS: The reduced LLMI in mild/moderate asthma may be related to lower incidence of GORD. However, this was not related to the degree of airflow obstruction, obesity or airway inflammation.
Authors: Kelly J Shields; Kostas Verdelis; Michael J Passineau; Erin M Faight; Lee Zourelias; Changgong Wu; Rong Chong; Raymond L Benza Journal: Pulm Circ Date: 2016-12 Impact factor: 3.017