Background: Levels of precursor proteins of collagen I and III are increased in fibrotic pulmonary diseases. This study determined whether the expression of precursors of type I and III collagen proteins would be increased in small and large airways of COPD patients in various stages of the disease reflecting fibrogenesis.Methods: The levels of precursor proteins of collagen I and III were studied by immunohistochemistry and quantified by image analysis in lung tissue of 16 non-smokers, 20 smokers with normal lung function, 20 smokers with stage I-II COPD and 8 ex-smokers with stage IV COPD.Results: In large airways, the subepithelial layer which was positive for precursor proteins of collagen I and III was thicker in smokers and in stage I-II COPD compared to non-smokers. Large airways in stage IV COPD showed reduced expression of precursor protein of collagen I whereas precursor of collagen III was increased. The amount of precursor protein of collagen III was increased in small airways of smokers and stage I-II COPD but reduced in stage IV COPD.Conclusions: Precursor proteins of collagen I and III revealed different expression profiles in large and small airways in various stages of COPD. Smoking enhanced expression of both precursors in large airways with a positive correlation with pack-years. © 2010 Harju et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
CITATION STYLE
Harju, T., Kinnula, V. L., Pääkkö, P., Salmenkivi, K., Risteli, J., & Kaarteenaho, R. (2010). Variability in the precursor proteins of collagen I and III in different stages of COPD. Respiratory Research, 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/1465-9921-11-165
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