Clara Cell Protein Expression in Human Neonates During Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

Background/Aims: Clara cell protein (cc-10) has been shown to negatively regulate inflammation, protect pulmonary surfactant from degradation in the lung, and administration of this recombinant protein improves the condition of infant respiratory distress syndrome (iRDS), a disease that occurred mainly in preterm infants. In view of the possibility that altered expression of cc-10 might regulate its protective function, we attempted to characterize this protein in infants with iRDS. Methods: Using bronchotraqueal aspirates from human infants, we analyzed cc-10 in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) by combining immunoprecipitation, carbonyl groups and total protein immunoblotting. Results: Seven forms of cc-10 were detected with western immunoblots in infants with iRDS while only four forms were present in neonates who needed mechanical ventilation for other reasons without any lung disease (control group). The overall levels of cc-10 in iRDS were lower and differences were seen in isoform pattern and distribution. Conclusion: Our demonstration that cc-10 is differentially expressed in infants with iRDS may point the way towards one possible mechanism that potentially involves modifications of the protein structure with its anti-inflammatory and surfactant protective function and could be detrimental for this airway disorder.

Club Cell Protein 16 (CC16) Augmentation: A Potential Disease-modifying Approach for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

“…Several isoforms of CC16 have been identified in airway fluids from patients with severe airway inflammation, including premature infants in respiratory distress 55;56 and adults exposed to inhaled industrial chemicals with respiratory complications 57 . One isoform found in tracheal aspirate fluids of premature infants was associated with subsequent development of neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) 55 .…”

Clara Cell Protein Expression in Mechanically Ventilated Term and Preterm Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome and at Risk of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Pilot Study

“…Clara cell secretory protein of 10–16 kDa (CC16), also known as CC10, Club cell protein, CCSP, or uteroglobin [9, 10], a member of the secretoglobin family [11], is the most abundant protein in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid or tracheal aspirates (TA) from neonates [12, 13]. CC16 plays anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and airway repairing roles [14–16].…”

Pharmacotherapy in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: What Is the Evidence?

“…Clara cell kDa 10-16 protein (also known as CC10/CC16/uteroglobin) is an anti-inflammatory immunomodulator present in abundance in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of neonates ( 274 , 275 ). CC10 has been identified as a potential biomarker for BPD ( 276 ).…”