Progranulin is a novel biomarker for predicting an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Progranulin is a pleiotropic glycosylated protein precursor that plays an important role in inflammation. Limited data exist regarding the role of progranulin in the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

The study is to assess the efficiency of progranulin as a circulating biomarker of AECOPD.

The plasma progranulin levels were measured and compared in patients with AECOPD (n = 52), patients with stable COPD (n = 56), and healthy controls (n = 36). In patients with AECOPD, plasma progranulin levels were measured repeatedly on the last day of hospitalization. Demographical data, pulmonary function, and laboratory parameters were recorded.

Patients with AECOPD had higher plasma progranulin levels than both stable COPD patients and healthy controls (158.77 ± 48.17, 109.00 ± 25.05, 93.67 ± 14.71 ng/mL, respectively; P < .001). In patients with AECOPD, the plasma progranulin levels significantly decreased on the last day of hospitalization compared with those on the first day of hospitalization (138.51 ± 44.68 vs. 158.77 ± 48.17 ng/mL, P = .042). The progranulin levels were negatively correlated to FEV1%pred but positively correlated to neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and C-reactive protein in all patients with COPD. Multivariate logistic regression and ROC analysis revealed progranulin (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.08, P < .001) as an independent predictor of AECOPD, with an area under the curve of 0.82.

Progranulin may be a valuable blood biomarker of AECOPD and progranulin may be involved in the pathogenesis of AECOPD by disturbing inflammatory responses.