Cytokine profile in the sputum of subjects with post-tuberculosis airflow obstruction and in those with tobacco related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Published in: BMC immunology Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 1 - 11
• Main Authors: Guiedem, Elise, Pefura-Yone, Eric Walter, Ikomey, George Mondinde, Nkenfou, Céline Nguefeu, Mesembe, Martha, Yivala, Mbanyamsig Mispa, Chendi, Bih Hycenta, Jacobs, Graeme Brendon, Chegou, Novel Njweipi, Okomo, Marie Claire Assoumou
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 01.10.2020; BioMed Central Ltd; BMC
• Subjects: Allergology; allergy and hypersensitivity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Bronchial obstruction; Bronchitis; Cells; Chronic obstructive lung disease; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; COPD; Cytokines; Cytokines and Growth Factors; Disease; IL-1β; Immunology; Inflammation; Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist; Interleukin 1 receptors; Interleukin 17; Interleukin 6; Interleukin 8; Lung diseases; Medical research; Neutrophils; Obstructive lung disease; Research Article; Risk factors; Smoking; Sputum; Tobacco; Tuberculosis; Tumor necrosis factor-α; Vaccine; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Tobacco; Tuberculosis; Cytokines; Bronchial obstruction; Inflammation; Cells; COPD
• ISSN: 1471-2172; 1471-2172
• DOI: 10.1186/s12865-020-00381-w

Background Previous studies have shown that tuberculosis (TB) is a risk factor for chronic airflow limitation. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is recognized as the result of chronic inflammation, usually related to noxious particles. Post-TB airflow obstruction and tobacco-related COPD have the same functional pathway characterized by persistent airflow limitation. We sought to compare the profile of 29 cytokines in the sputum of subjects with post-TB airflow obstruction and those with COPD related to tobacco. Results The forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity (FEV/FVC) ratio were lower in the COPD patients with the history of smoking compared to the post-TB airflow obstruction subgroup. The stages of the disease were more advanced in COPD / tobacco patients. Among the cytokines, IL-1α, IL-1β, MIP-1β, sCD40L and VEGF levels were higher in COPD patients, compared to the controls with p values ​​of 0.003, 0.0001, 0.03, 0.0001 and 0.02 respectively. When the two COPD subgroups were compared, IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8 levels were higher in the COPD patients with the history of tobacco compared to the COPD patients with the history of TB with p -values ​​of 0.031, 0.05, 0.021 and 0.016, respectively. Conclusion COPD related to tobacco is more severe than post-TB airflow obstruction. The pathogenesis of post-TB airflow obstruction appears to involve the cytokines IL-1RA, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-17, GRO and sCD40L, while COPD related to tobacco involves more cytokines.