Low serum double-stranded DNA levels are associated with higher survival rates in severe COPD patients

Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are endogenous danger signals that alert and activate the immune system upon cellular damage or death. It has previously been shown that DAMP release is increased in patients with COPD, leading to higher levels in extracellular fluids such as serum. In the current study we investigated whether the serum levels of DAMPs were associated with survival rates in COPD patients.

A panel of seven DAMPs, consisting of HMGB1, fibrinogen, α-defensin, heat shock protein 70, S100A8, galectin-9 and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), was measured in serum of 949 severe COPD patients. Maximally selected rank statistics was used to define cut-off values and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the effect of high or low DAMP levels on 4-year survival. For DAMPs that were found to affect survival significantly, baseline characteristics were compared between the two DAMP groups.

Out of the seven DAMPs, only dsDNA was significantly associated with 4-year survival. Patients with elevated serum level of dsDNA had higher 4-year mortality rates, lower FEV₁ % predicted values and higher emphysema scores.

In conclusion, in a clinical cohort of 949 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, elevated serum levels of dsDNA were associated with a higher risk of death. This study further illustrates the potential role of circulating DAMPs, such as dsDNA, in the progression of COPD. Together, the results of this study suggest that levels of circulating dsDNA might serve as an additional prognostic biomarker for survival in COPD patients.