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Updated: Aug 26, 2025
Author Spotlight: Investigating the Pathophysiology of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Published on: May 10, 2024
Increased mast cell activation in eosinophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Andrew Higham1, Josiah Dungwa2, Tuyet-Hang Pham3
1Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Manchester UK.
In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), higher eosinophil counts correlate with altered mast cell gene expression, suggesting mast cells contribute to T2 inflammation in a COPD subset.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- A subset of COPD patients exhibits elevated airway eosinophils and T2 inflammation markers.
- Mast cells are implicated in allergic inflammation and may play a role in COPD pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mast cell counts and gene expression in COPD patients with varying eosinophil levels.
- To determine the association between mast cell characteristics and T2 inflammation markers in COPD.
Main Methods:
- RNA-sequencing was used to analyze gene expression of tryptase (TPSAB1), carboxypeptidase A3 (CPA3), chymase (CMA1), and mast cell signatures (MCbb, MCIgE) in sputum and bronchial brushings.
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to quantify mast cell numbers in bronchial biopsies.
- Patients were categorized into eosinophil-high and eosinophil-low groups.
Main Results:
- Increased expression of TPSAB1, CPA3, and MCbb was observed in eosinophil-high COPD patients compared to eosinophil-low patients in both sputum and bronchial brushings.
- Mast cell gene expression correlated significantly with markers of T2 and eosinophilic inflammation (IL13, CLCA1, CST1, CCL26, and eosinophil counts).
- No significant differences were found in MCIgE gene expression or total mast cell numbers in bronchial biopsies between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Eosinophilic inflammation in COPD is linked to distinct mast cell characteristics.
- Mast cells are implicated as a component of T2 inflammation in a specific subset of COPD patients.
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