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Surfactant protein D multimerization and gene polymorphism in COPD and asthma
Dalia Fakih1,2,3, Zeina Akiki3,4, Kirsten Junker1
1Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Respirology (Carlton, Vic.)
|September 30, 2017
Summary
In COPD and asthma patients, non-multimerized surfactant protein D (SP-D) is dominant, indicating significant protein degradation. This suggests modified SP-D assays could serve as pulmonary disease biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Surfactant protein D (SP-D) gene polymorphism (rs721917 Met11Thr) influences SP-D levels and multimerization.
- SP-D degradation is implicated in COPD and asthma, but the extent is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum SP-D multimerization (high molecular weight [HMW] and low molecular weight [LMW] species).
- To correlate SP-D forms with the rs721917 polymorphism and disease status in Lebanese COPD and asthma patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum SP-D levels measured by ELISA in 88 COPD patients, 121 asthmatics, and 223 controls.
- Genotyping for rs721917 and multimerization studies performed.
- HMW and LMW SP-D separated using gel permeation chromatography.
Main Results:
- Serum SP-D levels increased in COPD patients but not asthmatics compared to controls.
- Met11Thr polymorphism affected SP-D levels and multimerization but wasn't linked to disease.
- HMW/LMW SP-D ratio was lower in Met11/Met11 COPD and asthma patients.
Conclusions:
- Non-multimerized SP-D species dominate in COPD and asthma, suggesting significant protein degradation.
- Assays differentiating SP-D forms may offer optimal biomarkers for pulmonary inflammatory diseases.
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