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- Title
Increased CD8 T-cell granzyme B in COPD is suppressed by treatment with low-dose azithromycin.
- Authors
Hodge, Sandra; Hodge, Greg; Holmes, Mark; Jersmann, Hubertus; Reynolds, Paul N.
- Abstract
Background and objective: Corticosteroid resistance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major challenge. We have reported increased bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis and increased airway CD8 T-cell numbers in COPD. Apoptosis can be induced via the serine protease, granzyme B. However, glucocorticosteroids fail to adequately suppress granzyme B production by CD8 T cells. We previously showed that low-dose azithromycin reduced airways inflammation in COPD subjects and we hypothesized that it would also reduce granzyme B production by CD8 T cells. Methods: We administered 250 mg azithromycin daily for 5 days then twice weekly (total 12 weeks) to 11 COPD subjects (five current smokers; six ex-smokers) and assessed granzyme B in the airway (bronchoalveolar lavage), intra-epithelial compartment and peripheral blood, collected before and following administration of azithromycin. To then dissect the effects of on CD4 and CD8 T-cell subsets, we applied an in vitro assay and physiologically relevant concentrations of azithromycin (and, for comparison, n-acetyl cysteine) and stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from five healthy subjects with CD3/CD28 T-cell expander. Results: T-cell granzyme B production in both airway and intra-epithelial compartments was reduced in COPD patients following 12 weeks of azithromycin treatment, with no significant effect in blood. Both azithromycin and n-acetyl cysteine suppressed CD4 T-cell granzyme B production, but only azithromycin was effective at reducing CD8+ T-cell granzyme B production in vitro. Conclusions: We provide further evidence for the application of low-dose azithromycin as an attractive adjunct treatment option for controlling epithelial cell apoptosis, abnormal airway repair and chronic inflammation in COPD.
- Subjects
OBSTRUCTIVE lung disease treatment; ADRENOCORTICAL hormones; HORMONE therapy; EPITHELIAL cells; APOPTOSIS; LUNG disease treatment
- Publication
Respirology, 2015, Vol 20, Issue 1, p95
- ISSN
1323-7799
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/resp.12415