Significant increase of CD57⁺cells in pulmonary lymphoid follicles of COPD patients

Abstract

Although the presence of pulmonary lymphoid follicles (LFs) has been associated with the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is no information regarding the pattern of vascularisation, expression of addressins or inflammatory cell densities within these structures in COPD.Histological and immunohistochemical techniques were used to assess the prevalence, structure, localisation, vascularisation and cell proliferation/apoptosis of LFs, as well as the follicular density of B-and T-lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and CD57+ cells, in lung tissue of nine nonsmokers, 18 smokers without COPD, 16 smokers with moderate COPD and 16 patients with very severe COPD. The density of CD57 + cells within LFs of COPD patients was significantly increased compared to that of nonsmokers and smokers without COPD (p,0.05). Moreover, the percentage of LF profiles with cell apoptosis was also significantly higher in COPD patients (p50.03). By contrast, no significant differences among groups were observed in the follicular densities of other inflammatory cells, nor in the distribution of blood and lymphatic vessels within LFs. Since CD57 + cells are important effectors of cytotoxicity and immune regulation, an increase in their follicular density supports the hypothesis of local immune dysfunction in COPD.

Appearance of remodelled and dendritic cell-rich alveolar-lymphoid interfaces provides a structural basis for increased alveolar antigen uptake in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…For example, van der Strate and colleagues12 reported that BRALTs very rarely reached the bronchiolar epithelium. In agreement with our study, a similar adventitial distribution has also been noted for VALTs 26 27. Collectively, it thus seems that an extensive interface towards the alveolar lumen is a general feature of all types of lung LAs.…”

Differential switching to IgG and IgA in active smoking COPD patients and healthy controls

“…Furthermore, we demonstrated the presence of oligoclonal Bcells with ongoing mutation in these follicles [5], indicating the presence of a specific B-cell response. Several reports have now confirmed the presence of B-cell follicles in COPD [6][7][8][9][10], some also in relation to disease severity. Notably, POLVERINO et al [8] showed the presence of BAFF (B-cell-activating factor of the tumour necrosis factor family) in these follicles, which is a marker of B-cell survival and activation, and has been associated with autoimmune diseases [11,12].…”

The Role of TRAF4 and B3GAT1 Gene Expression in the Food Hypersensitivity and Insect Venom Allergy in Mastocytosis

“…CD57-positive T cells are important effectors of immune regulation and cytotoxicity. Olloquequi et al (2011) found a significant and specific increase in the follicular density of CD57 + cells in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which support the hypothesis of local immune dysfunction. Furthermore, this study proved that COPD patients exhibit a significant increase in the follicular density of CD57 + cells compared to nonsmokers and smokers without COPD.…”