Expression of human β-defensin-2 in induced sputum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

[Objective] To measure the levels of human β-defensin-2(hBD-2)in the induced sputum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)and investigate the possible role of hBD-2 in COPD.[Methods] 10 samples of induced sputum were collected separately from severe COPD patients,stable COPD patients and healthy subjects.The distinguish of cells in each group of samples was determined by Wright's staining.The levels of hBD-2 in induced sputum were semi-measured by Western blotting analysis,and the concentrations of IL-1β in induced sputum were measured by ELISA.[Results] The rate of neutrophilic granulocyte in induced sputum from severe COPD patients and stable COPD patients was significantly higher than that of those healthy subjects(P 0.01).The value of hue of hBD-2 in induced sputum by Western blotting analysis from stable COPD patients and severe COPD patients were significantly lower compared to those healthy subjects(P 0.001),and the value of hue of hBD-2 in induced sputum from severe COPD patients were also significantly lower than those stable COPD patients(P 0.01).The concentrations of IL-1β in induced sputum from stable COPD patients were significantly elevated compared to healthy subjects(P 0.001),while the concentrations of IL-1β in induced sputum from severe COPD patients were also significantly higher than those in stable condition(P 0.01).The value of hue of hBD-2 in induced sputum by Western blotting analysis is negatively correlated with the concentrations of IL-1β(r=-0.689,P 0.01).[Conclusion] The expression of hBD-2 in the induced sputum in COPD patients is elevated and has some relationship with IL-1β,which means hBD-2 may play a role in the inflammatory process of COPD,