International Journal of COPD (Nov 2020)
Systemic Cytokine Profiles of CD4+ T Lymphocytes Correlate with Clinical Features and Functional Status in Stable COPD
Abstract
Juliana Souza Uzeloto,1 Alessandra Choqueta de Toledo-Arruda,2 Bruna Spolador de Alencar Silva,1 Marjorie de Assis Golim,3 Aline Márcia Marques Braz,3 Fabiano Francisco de Lima,1 Isis Grigoletto,1 Ercy Mara Cipulo Ramos1 1São Paulo State University (UNESP), Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Physiotherapy, Postgraduate Program in Physiotherapy, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; 3São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu Medical School, Postgraduate Program in Research & Development: Medical Biotechnology, Blood Center, Flow Cytometry Laboratory, Botucatu, São Paulo, BrazilCorrespondence: Juliana Souza Uzeloto Email [email protected]: To evaluate the expressions of intracellular cytokines in CD4+ T lymphocytes and to investigate the correlation between biomarker expressions and clinical and functional characteristics of stable COPD patients.Patients and Methods: Peripheral blood was collected from 36 COPD patients, and the expression of cytokines (IL-8, IL-13, IL-17, IL-6, IL-2, IL-10, and TNF-α) in T lymphocytes CD4 + was investigated. In addition, lung function, dyspnea symptoms, quality of life, vital signs, body composition, level of physical activity, peripheral muscle strength, and functional capacity were assessed.Results: Individuals with greater bronchial obstruction present a higher proportion of CD4 + IL-2 + lymphocytes compared to individuals with less severe bronchial obstruction. We found a positive correlation between the expression of the cytokines IL-13, IL-17, IL-6, IL-2, IL-10, and TNF-α in CD4+ T lymphocytes. In addition, we found a positive correlation between CD4+ IL-10+ T lymphocytes and lower limb muscle strength and a negative correlation between CD4+ IL-8+ T lymphocytes and peripheral oxygen saturation and steps per day.Conclusion: Systemic CD4+IL-2+, IL-8+, and IL-10+ T lymphocytes presented a correlation with clinical characteristics and functional status in stable COPD.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammation, phenotype, flow cytometry