RESEARCH PAPER
Cathelicidin LL-37, granzymes, TGF-beta1 and cytokines levels in induced sputum from farmers with and without COPD.
			
	
 
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				1
				Unit of Fibroproliferative Diseases, Institute of Agricultural Medicine, Lublin, Poland
				 
			 
						
				2
				Austrian Institute of Technology – Seibersdorf Laboratories, Seibersdorf, Austria
				 
			 
						
				3
				Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
				 
			 
						
				4
				Institute of Dermatology, Kraków, Poland
				 
			 
						
				5
				Department of Occupational Biohazards, Institute of Agricultural Medicine, Lublin, Poland
				 
			 
						
				6
				Department of Internal Medicine II, Clinical Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
				 
			 
						
				7
				Department of Internal Medicine and Hypertension, Institute of Agricultural Medicine, Lublin, Poland
				 
			 
										
				
				
		
		 
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
							
					    		
    			 
    			
    				    					Corresponding author
    					    				    				
    					Marcin  Golec   
    					Unit of Fibroproliferative Diseases, Institute of Agricultural Medicine, Jaczewskiego 2, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
    				
 
    			
				 
    			 
    		 		
			
																																																																			 
		
	 
		
 
 
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2009;16(2):289-297
 
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The cathelicidin LL-37 is an antimicrobial and lipopolysaccharide neutralizing peptide, possessing pro-inflammatory, tissue repair and remodeling activities. Recent reports indicate that the progression of COPD might be connected with increased levels of LL-37. The numerous experimental data show the potential role of LL-37 in the response to the exposure to organic dust (containing lipopolysaccharide and microorganisms) which is one of the major COPD causative factors. This work strives to further prove the role of LL-37 in the development of COPD. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 30 farmers in the early stages of COPD according to GOLD, 36 healthy farmers and 16 healthy urban dwellers. Collection of induced-sputum samples and lung function testing were conducted before and after work. The quantification of the LL-37 in sputum samples was performed by mass spectrometry and radioisotope techniques. Levels of granzymes A and B, IL-8, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta1 in sputum were measured by ELISA technique. Statistical analysis was conducted by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Significantly higher levels of LL-37 were observed in sputum samples from farmers with COPD compared to healthy individuals. The concentration of LL-37 in sputum from farmers was significantly higher compared to urban dwellers. The same was true for both granzymes A and B. The results of this study suggest that LL-37 and granzymes A and B may add to the development of COPD. The results suggest also their role in an organism's response to organic dust exposure.