Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Advanced Imaging of Lung Homing Human Lymphocytes in an Experimental In Vivo Model of Allergic Inflammation Based on Light-sheet Microscopy
Published on: April 16, 2019
Large airway T cells in adults with former bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Jing Gao1, Petra Um-Bergström2,3,4, Melvin Pourbazargan2,5
1Respiratory Medicine Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden. jing.gao@ki.se.
Insights
Young adults with a history of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) show increased cytotoxic T cells in large airways, indicating potential for chronic airway issues. These findings suggest immune responses contribute to airway disease from preterm birth.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants is a known risk factor for later-life chronic airway obstruction.
- The specific distribution of T cell subtypes within the large airways of individuals with a history of BPD remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize the cellular and T cell profiles within the large airways of young adults with a history of BPD.
- To compare these profiles with those of individuals born full-term with asthma and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Lung function tests and bronchoscopy with bronchial wash (BW) were performed on young adults born prematurely (with and without BPD history) and full-term controls.
- T cell subsets in BW samples were analyzed using immunocytochemistry.
Main Results:
- Individuals with BPD history exhibited significantly higher proportions of lymphocytes and CD8+ T cells in their large airways compared to asthma and healthy groups.
- Lymphocyte and CD8+ T cell proportions correlated negatively with lung function parameters (Forced Vital Capacity and FEV1, respectively) in preterm-born adults.
- Network analysis indicated associations between lung function, BPD history, and T cell subsets (CD4+ and CD8+).
Conclusions:
- Elevated cytotoxic T cells in the large airways of adults with former BPD suggest a T cell subset pattern similar to small airways and resembling Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
- These findings support the hypothesis that adaptive and innate immune responses play a role in the development of airway disease resulting from preterm birth.
Background:
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) in infants born prematurely is a risk factor for chronic airway obstruction later in life. The distribution of T cell subtypes in the large airways is largely unknown.
Objective:
To characterize cellular and T cell profiles in the large airways of young adults with a history of BPD.
Methods:
Forty-three young adults born prematurely (preterm (n = 20), BPD (n = 23)) and 45 full-term-born (asthma (n = 23), healthy (n = 22)) underwent lung function measurements, and bronchoscopy with large airway bronchial wash (BW). T-cells subsets in BW were analyzed by immunocytochemistry.
Results:
The proportions of both lymphocytes and CD8 + T cells in BW were significantly higher in BPD (median, 6.6%, and 78.0%) when compared with asthma (3.4% and 67.8%, p = 0.002 and p = 0.040) and healthy (3.8% and 40%, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). In all adults born prematurely (preterm and BPD), lymphocyte proportion correlated negatively with forced vital capacity (r= -0.324, p = 0.036) and CD8 + T cells correlated with forced expiratory volume in one second, FEV1 (r=-0.448, p = 0.048). Correlation-based network analysis revealed that lung function cluster and BPD-birth cluster were associated with lymphocytes and/or CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. Multivariate regression analysis showed that lymphocyte proportions and BPD severity qualified as independent factors associated with FEV1.
Conclusions:
The increased cytotoxic T cells in the large airways in young adults with former BPD, suggest a similar T-cell subset pattern as in the small airways, resembling features of COPD. Our findings strengthen the hypothesis that mechanisms involving adaptive and innate immune responses are involved in the development of airway disease due to preterm birth.
More Related Videos
08:42Isolating Bronchial Epithelial Cells from Resected Lung Tissue for Biobanking and Establishing Well-Differentiated Air-Liquid Interface Cultures
Published on: May 26, 2023
07:52Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation
Published on: July 23, 2012
Related Concept Videos
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
01:23The Bronchial Tree
The trachea, commonly known as the windpipe, is a tube that connects the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi. At a point called the carina, it bifurcates into two primary bronchi. The right primary bronchus is wider, shorter, and more vertical than the left primary...
01:17Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...