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Characterising human lung tissue for biomarkers of EMT-fibrosis and functional steroid receptor components in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and control subjects

Patel, HJ

Authors

HJ Patel



Abstract

COPD is a poorly reversible airflow obstruction commonly induced by cigarette smoke. Pathology is linked to a series of inflammatory and fibrotic events in the small airways and lung parenchyma; including fibrosis, emphysema and mucus plugging. This work focuses on the inflammatory and fibrotic aspects of COPD pathology. Processes of fibrotic Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) have been identified in heart and kidney disorders and we wished to evaluate if this is a contributing factor in COPD. Second, patient treatment options are limited. Steroid resistance is the major barrier for effective treatment and this study seeks to evaluate steroid receptor expression patterns in COPD patient and control subjects to better understand mechanisms of resistance. The aim of this study is to evaluate EMT (S100A4) and glucocorticoid receptor (TTC5 & S211) component expression in lung tissue of COPD patients and control subjects using immunohistochemical staining. The result obtained describes that S100A4 (EMT marker) was more highly expressed in active smokers (non-smoker and ex-smoker, versus current, p<0.0001). TTC5 expression was higher in both ex-smokers and current smokers compared to NS (p=0.0022). S211 expression levels were similarly raised in both ex and current smokers compared to NS (p=0.0078). The conclusion is that raised S100A4 expression in active smokers indicates EMT and may play a role in fibrosis in COPD via a partially reversible process. Raised TTC5 and S211 in ex and current smokers indicate irreversible glucocorticoid receptor changes and may implicate a mechanism of steroid resistance in COPD patients, thus prompting further research in this area.

Citation

Patel, H. (in press). Characterising human lung tissue for biomarkers of EMT-fibrosis and functional steroid receptor components in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and control subjects. (Dissertation). University of Salford

Thesis Type Dissertation
Acceptance Date Mar 1, 2018
Deposit Date Apr 5, 2018
Publicly Available Date Apr 5, 2018

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