p21 facilitates chronic lung inflammation via epithelial and endothelial cells

Cellular senescence is a stable state of cell cycle arrest that regulates tissue integrity and protects the organism from tumorigenesis. However, the accumulation of senescent cells during aging contributes to age-related pathologies. One such pathology is chronic lung inflammation. p21 (CDKN1A) regulates cellular senescence via inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). However, its role in chronic lung inflammation and functional impact on chronic lung disease, where senescent cells accumulate, is less understood. To elucidate the role of p21 in chronic lung inflammation, we subjected p21 knockout (p21-/-) mice to repetitive inhalations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an exposure that leads to chronic bronchitis and accumulation of senescent cells. p21 knockout led to a reduced presence of senescent cells, alleviated the pathological manifestations of chronic lung inflammation, and improved the fitness of the mice. The expression profiling of the lung cells revealed that resident epithelial and endothelial cells, but not immune cells, play a significant role in mediating the p21-dependent inflammatory response following chronic LPS exposure. Our results implicate p21 as a critical regulator of chronic bronchitis and a driver of chronic airway inflammation and lung destruction.

[Analysis of polymorphisms of genes associated with immune response and tissue remodeling in occupational chronic bronchitis]

The involvement of polymorphisms of genes encoding immune response-associated molecules (LTA, TNFA, ILB, ILRN, IL8, IL10, VDBP), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, MMP12, ADAM33), and tissue and serum inhibitors of proteases (TIMP2, TIMP3, SERPINA1, SERPINA3) in the predisposition to occupational chronic bronchitis was assessed by PCR-RFLP analysis in groups of patients (n = 122) and healthy employees (n = 166). It was found that occupational chronic bronchitis was associated with polymorphisms of VDBP (P(adj) = 0.00005, OR(adj) = 2.06), MMP1 (P(adj) = 0.00002, OR(adj) = 2.57), ADAM33 (P(adj) = 0.0004, OR(adj) = 2.52), and IL8 (P(adj) = 0.0058, OR(adj) = 2.87). The most significant association was observed for the VDBP polymorphism 1296T>G. The VDBP haplotype GC*1S by the loci 1296T>G and 1307C>A was an informative susceptibility marker (P(adj) = 0.0001, OR(adj) = 2.60, 95% CI (1.62-4.19)). There was also a significant interaction between the VDBP polymorphism 1307C>A and the duration of occupational exposure to hazardous factors (P(interaction) = 0.02). Apparently, the investigated polymorphisms of VDBP, MMP1, ADAM33, and IL8 contribute to the genetic susceptibility to chronic bronchitis induced by dust and toxic agents.

Clinical and computed tomographic predictors of chronic bronchitis in COPD: a cross sectional analysis of the COPDGene study

BACKGROUND

Chronic bronchitis (CB) has been related to poor outcomes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). From a clinical standpoint, we have shown that subjects with CB in a group with moderate to severe airflow obstruction were younger, more likely to be current smokers, male, Caucasian, had worse health related quality of life, more dyspnea, and increased exacerbation history compared to those without CB. We sought to further refine our clinical characterization of chronic bronchitics in a larger cohort and analyze the CT correlates of CB in COPD subjects. We hypothesized that COPD patients with CB would have thicker airways and a greater history of smoking, acute bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, and occupational exposures compared to those without CB.

METHODS

We divided 2703 GOLD 1-4 subjects in the Genetic Epidemiology of COPD (COPDGene®) Study into two groups based on symptoms: chronic bronchitis (CB+, n = 663, 24.5%) and no chronic bronchitis (CB-, n = 2040, 75.5%). Subjects underwent extensive clinical characterization, and quantitative CT analysis to calculate mean wall area percent (WA%) of 6 segmental airways was performed using VIDA PW2 (http://www.vidadiagnostics.com). Square roots of the wall areas of bronchi with internal perimeters 10 mm and 15 mm (Pi10 and Pi15, respectively), % emphysema, %gas trapping, were calculated using 3D Slicer (http://www.slicer.org).

RESULTS

There were no differences in % emphysema (11.4 ± 12.0 vs. 12.0 ± 12.6%, p = 0.347) or % gas trapping (35.3 ± 21.2 vs. 36.3 ± 20.6%, p = 0.272) between groups. Mean segmental WA% (63.0 ± 3.2 vs. 62.0 ± 3.1%, p < 0.0001), Pi10 (3.72 ± 0.15 vs. 3.69 ± 0.14 mm, p < 0.0001), and Pi15 (5.24 ± 0.22 vs. 5.17 ± 0.20, p < 0.0001) were greater in the CB + group. Greater percentages of gastroesophageal reflux, allergic rhinitis, histories of asthma and acute bronchitis, exposures to dusts and occupational exposures, and current smokers were seen in the CB + group. In multivariate binomial logistic regression, male gender, Caucasian race, a lower FEV1%, allergic rhinitis, history of acute bronchitis, current smoking, and increased airway wall thickness increased odds for having CB.

CONCLUSIONS

Histories of asthma, allergic rhinitis, acute bronchitis, current smoking, a lower FEV1%, Caucasian race, male gender, and increased airway wall thickness are associated with CB. These data provide clinical and radiologic correlations to the clinical phenotype of CB.

[The role of genetic factors in the development of chronic dust bronchitis in workers of coal mining enterprises of Kuzbass]

The distribution of genotypes of HP, GC, EsD, AsP and polymorphisms GSTT1 (GST-theta1) and GSTM1 (GST-micro1) and NOS3 (polymorphism VNTR4) in miners with chronic dust bronchitis, and in those without this occupational disease has been studied The carriers of genotypes of genotypes EsD 1-2, AsP bb were shown to be more prone to develop chronic dust bronchitis. Endogenous factors of resistance to the disease are the genotypes GC 1-1, EsD 1-1, AsP bc.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: nature-nurture interactions

A person's health status is rarely constant, it is usually subject to continual change as a person moves from health to illness and usually back to health again; the health-illness continuum illustrates this dynamism. This highlights the person's various states of health and illness (ranging from extremely good health to clinically defined mild, moderate and severe illness) and their fluctuations throughout the life span, until ultimately leading to the pathology associated with the person's death. Maintenance of a stable homeostatic environment within the body to support the stability of this continuum depends on a complex series of ultimately intracellular chemical reactions. These reactions are activated by environmental factors that cause the expression of genes associated with healthy phenotypes as well as illness susceptibility genes associated with homeostatic imbalances. Obviously, the body aims to support intracellular and extracellular environments allied with health; however, the complexity of these nature-nurture interactions results in illness throughout an individual's life span. This paper will discuss the nature-nurture interactions of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

[Effects of mangiferin on cytokines in rats with chronic bronchitis and expression of macrophage COX-2 in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect of mangiferin.

METHOD

The model of chronic bronchitis in rat was established by LPS + smoke. The activity of SOD, content of MDA and NO in BALF and serum, content of TNF-alpha and IL-8 were determined. The expression of RAW264.7 macrophage COX-2 mRNA induced by LPS in mice was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULT

The activity of SOD, the content of NO in BALF and serum in rat with chronic bronchitis were significantly higher with high, medium and low-dose of lg mangiferin (400,200,100 mg x kg(-1)), while the content of MDA, and the content of TNF-alpha and IL-8 in lung tissues were lower. The expression of RAW264.7 macrophage COX-2 mRNA induced by LPS was significantly reduced by mangiferin with 200,100, 50 micromol x L(-1).

CONCLUSION

The anti-inflammatory mechanism of mangiferin is to relieve inflammation by raising the activity of SOD and content of NO and reducing the content of MDA and the expression of TNF-alpha, IL-8 and COX-2 mRNA.

[Chronic occupational bronchitis: problems and prospects (review of literature)]

The authors analysed history of "occupational bronchitis" term establishment, presented various points of view on defining occupational bronchial obstruction diseases, their classification and connections with other diseases. Evaluating pathogenetic features of occupational bronchitis, the authors emphasized studies of disordered "proteolysis-antiproteolysis" system role, xenobiotics biotransformation and free-radical processes. The authors pointed promising role of molecular genetic studies for better and more individual system of medical care for workers.

[Chronic occupational bronchitis in workers of coal extracting enterprises in Kouzbass: role of endogenous factors]

The authors studied distribution of biochemical markers for HP, GC, EsD, AcP genes, polymorphism of GSTT1 (GST-theta 1), GSTM1 (GST-mu 1), locus WNTR of NOS3 gene (alleles A/B) in chronic dust bronchitis patients and in apparently healthy individuals. Genotypes EsD 1-2 and AcP bb individuals were proved to be most prone to the disease. Endogenous resistent factors for chronic dust bronchitis are genotypes GC 1-1, EsD 1-1, AcP bc.

The TNFalpha gene relates to clinical phenotype in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency

BACKGROUND

Genetic variation may underlie phenotypic variation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in subjects with and without alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). Genotype specific sub-phenotypes are likely and may underlie the poor replication of previous genetic studies. This study investigated subjects with AATD to determine the relationship between specific phenotypes and TNFalpha polymorphisms.

METHODS

424 unrelated subjects of the PiZZ genotype were assessed for history of chronic bronchitis, impairment of lung function and radiological presence of emphysema and bronchiectasis. A subset of subjects with 3 years consecutive lung function data was assessed for decline of lung function. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tagging TNFalpha were genotyped using TaqMan(R) genotyping technologies and compared between subjects affected by each phenotype and those unaffected. Plasma TNFalpha levels were measured in all PiZZ subjects.

RESULTS

All SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. A significant difference in rs361525 genotype (p = 0.01) and allele (p = 0.01) frequency was seen between subjects with and without chronic bronchitis, independent of the presence of other phenotypes. TNFalpha plasma level showed no phenotypic or genotypic associations.

CONCLUSION

Variation in TNFalpha is associated with chronic bronchitis in AATD.

Plasma Cells and IL-4 in Chronic Bronchitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

RATIONALE

Airway wall inflammation, IL-4, and mucus hypersecretion are thought to be associated.

OBJECTIVES

To quantify bronchial inflammatory cells in smokers with chronic bronchitis (CB) with and without airflow obstruction (AO), determining the cells expressing IL-4 and IL-5 and their association with submucosal gland mucin.

METHODS

We applied immunohistochemistry to identify, and double-labeling to colocalize, IL-4 and IL-5 to distinct inflammatory cells in resected bronchi from (1) 11 asymptomatic smokers (AS), (2) 11 smokers with CB, and (3) 10 smokers with CB and AO.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

There were greater numbers of mucosal and gland CD45(+) leukocytes in CB (epithelium, 673/mm(2); subepithelium, 698/mm(2); gland, 517/mm(2)) than in AS (331, 237, and 178/mm(2), respectively; p < 0.01 for all) or CB + AO (375, 243, and 215/mm(2), respectively; p < 0.05 for all). There were greater numbers of subepithelial and submucosal gland plasma cells in CB (subepithelium, 110/mm(2); gland, 213/mm(2)) compared with AS (38 and 41/mm(2), respectively; p < 0.01 for both), and more subepithelial mast cells in CB (204/mm(2)) than in AS (65/mm(2); p < 0.01) or CB + AO (115/mm(2); p < 0.01). In CB, the percentage of gland occupied by mucin was positively correlated with the numbers of interstitial CD45(+) cells, plasma cells, and IL-4 protein(+) cells. In CB, 69 and 62% of gland-associated plasma cells expressed IL-4 and IL-5, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory cells are increased in bronchial submucosal glands and mucosa of large airways in smokers with CB. Gland-associated plasma cells express IL-4, and these likely promote mucus hypersecretion.

The -308G/A polymorphism of TNF-alpha influences immunological parameters in old subjects affected by infectious diseases

Abnormal increments of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-alpha) characterize the outbreak of infectious diseases, which are the major cause of death in the elderly. A counterbalance to the inflammation is exerted by IL-10 with an inhibitory role on TNF-alpha production. As is well known, some cytokine gene polymorphisms influence the cytokine production, playing a role as susceptibility or resistance factors against immune-mediated and infectious disease. Genetic variations in the -308A/G locus for TNF-alpha seems to affect the clinical outcome of some infectious diseases. In fact, the -308A allele is associated with severe septic shock and death. On this basis, we have screened healthy old subjects, nonagenarians and old patients affected by the acute phase of chronic obstructive bronchitis and bronchopneumonia of bacteria origin for the -308G/A locus (PCR-RFLP). Subjects are grouped in A+ (AG, AA genotypes) and A- (GG genotype) and data on IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-10, NK cell cytotoxicity, zinc and metallothioneins (MTs) gene expression (RT-PCR) were stratified according to different TNF-alpha genotypes. The frequency of the A allele was increased in infected patients in comparison with healthy old controls. No differences existed between A+ and A- young adult, old and nonagenarian controls in tested parameters. Conversely, A+-infected patients displayed elevated IL-6, TNF-alpha and MTmRNA, low IL-10 coupled with impaired NK cell cytotoxicity and lower zinc ion than A- patients. However, the data reported are gender independent. Therefore, the -308A polymorphism at the locus of TNF-alpha may be one of the susceptibility factor for infectious diseases in old persons, particularly considering its association to the increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and to the reduction of zinc release and MTs synthesis involved in the control of the inflammatory response. These data strongly suggest that the genetic screening of the -308G/A polymorphism may be a valid tool for identification of subjects needing a more appropriate therapy when affected by acute and/or recurrent infectious diseases.

Inflammatory cells as source of tachykinin-induced mucus secretion in chronic bronchitis

Substance P and neurokinin A are regulatory peptides of the tachykinin family that influence many aspects of human airway function in health and diseases such as bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tachykinin-induced mucus secretion has been regarded as sensory nerve-dependent so far. We studied the distribution of tachykinin-mRNA and -peptide and its relation to NK-1 subtype-positive cells in human airway glands to assess if tachykinins may also be expressed in inflammatory cells. RT-PCR demonstrated the expression of tachykinin- and NK-1-mRNA in human airway tissues. In situ hybridisation resulted in preprotachykinin (PPT)-A mRNA-signal detection in inflammatory cells which were in close contact to myoepithelial cells of airway glands. NK-1 immunoreactivity was found in myoepithelial cells which were in direct contact to the PPT-A mRNA and tachykinin-positive cells. The present data directly demonstrate the presence of both PPT-A mRNA and tachykinin immunoreactivity in inflammatory airway cells which are in direct contact to NK-1 receptor positive glandular myoepithelium. Our findings indicate that besides neurally released tachykinins, also inflammatory cell-derived tachykinins may lead to glandular secretion via NK-1 receptor stimulation. This points to a major second source of these proinflammatory mediators in chronic inflammatory airway diseases such as COPD or asthma.

Gene-environment interactions in asthma and other respiratory diseases

It is generally agreed that many lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have polygenic inheritance, and that the association of a specific genotype or genotypes with the disease is likely to vary between populations. Furthermore, it is recognized that the etiology of many lung diseases involves a complex interplay between genetic background and exposure to multiple environmental stimuli, and understanding the mechanisms through which genes and environment interact represents a major challenge for pulmonary researchers. We discuss experimental approaches and challenges that must be overcome to identify disease genes for asthma, COPD and chronic bronchitis, and occupational lung diseases. In particular, common polymorphisms in CD14, glutathione S-transferase, and tumor necrosis factor alpha have been found to be important in gene-environment interaction and asthma pathogenesis. An understanding of gene-environment interactions in complex lung diseases is essential to the development of new strategies for lung disease prevention and treatment.

[Genotypic and phenotypic markers in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis]

The study included examination of 120 patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) and 70 healthy people. The following genotypic and phenotypic markers were evaluated: blood group, Rhesus factor, earwax type, constitution, height, iris color, hair color, signs of functional asymmetry and some minimal signs of embryogenesis disturbances. The relative risk of the disease development was counted for each parameter. The study found the highest COB morbidity in short normosthenics people with short neck, wet earwax type, nasal septum deviation and B (III) blood group. Such markers as light brown hair and dry earwax type were shown to be associated with COB-protective activity. The signs discussed in the article may be used to determine predisposition to COB.

[An information model as a method of mathematical processing of clinical material (chronic bronchitis as illustration)]

AIM

To design information clinical-prognostic formalized model of chronic bronchitis (CB).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study of clinicofunctional, immunometabolic manifestations in CB remissions in 1135 CB patients and genealogical study of 24 families in three generations (83 persons) were performed. Clinical, functional, biochemical, immunological examinations were made.

RESULTS

An algorithm of information model of CB consisting of 5 principal steps and technology of information processing of clinical material are proposed. A data matrix was developed in the form of blocks (passport data, former life style, complaints, disease history, characteristics of objective status, functional, clinical, biochemical, immunological parameters) and information analysis was made using a selected mathematical method (correlation, cluster, factorial, regression analyses).

CONCLUSION

The proposed methodological approach allows assessment of interaction of such factors as heredity, environment, life style and their effect on CB risk, clinical picture, course; design of program of primary and secondary prophylaxis and assessment of treatment efficacy.

Detection of p53 and K-ras mutations in sputum of individuals exposed to smoky coal emissions in Xuan Wei County, China

Lung cancer mortality rates in the Xuan Wei County population are among the highest in China and are associated with exposure to indoor emissions from the burning of smoky coal. Previous studies of lung tumors from both non-smoking women and smoking men in this region showed high frequencies of mutations, consisting mostly of G-->T transversions in the p53 tumor suppressor gene and K-ras oncogene, suggesting that these mutations were caused primarily by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In this study sputum samples from 92 individuals with no evidence of lung cancer from Xuan Wei County were screened for p53 and K-ras mutations. Sputum cells were collected on glass slides by sputum cytocentrifugation, stained and cytopathologically analyzed. Cytologically non-malignant epithelial cells were taken from each sputum sample using a laser capture microdissection microscope and molecularly analyzed. Cells taken from the sputum of 15 (16.3%) individuals were mutation positive, including 13 (14.1%) individuals each with a p53 mutation, 1 (1.1%) individual with a K-ras mutation and 1 (1.1%) individual with a p53 and a K-ras mutation. p53 mutations were found in both the sputum of individuals with evidence of chronic bronchitis (3 of 46 or 6.5%) and those without evidence of this disease (11 of 46 or 23.9%). Therefore, mutations in the p53 gene and, to a lesser extent, the K-ras gene were frequent in non-malignant epithelial cells taken from the sputum of individuals without evidence of lung cancer who were exposed to smoky coal emissions in Xuan Wei County and were at a high risk for developing the disease.

[The role of transforming growth factor-beta(1) in smoking-induced chronic bronchitis and emphysema in hamsters]

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in the pathogenesis of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

METHODS

An animal model of chronic bronchitis and emphysema was developed in hamsters by chronic smoke inhalation. The expression of TGF-beta(1) mRNA and protein in the pulmonary tissue was observed. The bronchial epithelia was stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in vitro and the expression of TGF-beta(1) was measured.

RESULTS

3 months after smoking, the animals developed chronic bronchitis and emphysema. TGF-beta(1) immunoreactivity in the pulmonary tissue and cultured bronchial epithelia increased significantly as compared to the normal control (2.75 +/- 0.23 vs 0.84 +/- 0.39, P = 0.001 and 2.67 +/- 0.16 vs 0.85 +/- 0.54, P = 0.001). The expression of TGF-beta(1) mRNA was also increased in the animal model (1.28 vs 0.98).

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking can induce over-expression of TGF-beta(1) in bronchial epithelia, which may be one of the mechanisms for smoking-induced chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Genetic variants of human beta-defensin-1 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is due to interactions between cigarette smoke exposure and other risk factors. Genetic variations of human beta-defensin-1 (hBD-1), an endogenous antimicrobial peptide in the airway, were investigated in 60 patients and 213 healthy volunteers by single-strand conformation and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. Four nucleotide variations in the 5' and 3' untranslated regions and two nonsynonymous substitutions in the coding region were identified. Of these, a newly found Ile38 variant was observed in 15.0% of patients but only in 2.8% of healthy individuals and was significantly associated with the disease (OR = 6.1, 95% confidence intervals 2.0-8.3, P = 0.0012). More than 80% of those with Ile38 experienced sputum production for more than 3 months during the follow-up period. Genetic variations in hBD-1 may define a high-risk subgroup of COPD where the component of chronic bronchitis is predominant.

Interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 gene expression and inflammation in the mucus-secreting glands and subepithelial tissue of smokers with chronic bronchitis. Lack of relationship with CD8(+) cells

We wished to determine if the inflammatory cells surrounding the airway mucus-secreting glands in chronic bronchitis (CB) were associated with interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 mRNA expression and whether the CD8 T cell population expressed these cytokines. Digoxigenin-labeled IL-4 and IL-5 antisense RNA probes were used to detect gene expression in 11 asymptomic smokers (AS), 11 smokers with CB alone with normal lung function, and 10 smokers with chronic bronchitis and coexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CB+COPD; FEV(1)% of predicted of 43-77% and FEV(1)/ FVC of 51-68%). There were approximately three times as many IL-4 than IL-5 mRNA(+) cells. The highest number of IL-4 mRNA(+) cells were in the submucosal glands of the CB group with normal lung function (216/mm(2)), significantly higher than the values in either the AS (63/mm(2)) or the CB+COPD (87/mm(2)) groups, respectively (p < 0.01). There were similar group differences when the total numbers of inflammatory cells were compared. Accordingly, there was a positive correlation between the number of IL-4 mRNA(+) cells and the total number of inflammatory cells in both the subepithelium and glandular compartments (r = 0.60; p = 0.01 and r = 0.70; p = 0.02, respectively). There were no significant associations between the numbers of CD8(+) and IL-4 or IL-5 mRNA(+) cells. Of 1328 IL-4(+) and 1404 CD8(+) cells counted none was double labeled. Of 727 IL-5(+) and 1569 CD8(+) cells, none was double labeled. In contrast, as a positive control, 34% of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha(+) cells were also CD8(+) and 15% of CD8(+) cells were TNF-alpha positive. Thus, cells other than the CD8(+) phenotype produce IL-4 and IL-5 in CB. We conclude that there is increased inflammation and IL-4 gene expression in the mucus-secreting glands and the airway mucosa of smokers with bronchitis: both are lower in those with CB and coexisting COPD suggesting that airway inflammation in CB is reduced when airway obstruction develops.

Heat shock proteins mRNA expressions by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in asthma and chronic bronchitis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the manifestations that heat shock proteins(HSPs) possess in the pathogenesis of asthma and chronic bronchitis.

METHODS

Using reverse transcription-DNA polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we investigated the expression levels of HSP70, HSP90 alpha and HSP90 beta genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) at natural state and after heat shock in 14 healthy volunteers, 21 patients with asthma and 18 patients with chronic bronchitis.

RESULTS

No HSP70 gene but HSP90 alpha and HSP90 beta expressions were found in non-heat-shocked PBMC of normal control; HSP90 alpha and HSP90 beta genes may be expressed in PBMC of patients no matter whether they were in acute episode or not. Expression of HSP70 was found in PBMC of patients in acute episodes and of three symptoms-free patients with Aas 3, step 2. No expression of HSP70 gene was found in PBMC of patients in convalescent period but in PBMC of patients in acute episode. HSP90 alpha and HSP90 beta genes were expressed in PBMC of the two patients groups; After heat shock, expressions of the three genes increased in amount significantly in PBMC of all normal controls and patients.

CONCLUSION

Expression of HSP70 gene in PBMC of asthmatic patients and chronic bronchitis was different, indicating that HSPs, especially HSP70 might be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma.