Inflammatory signature in lung tissues in patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema

Background: The aetiology and inflammatory profile of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) remain uncertain currently. Objective: We aimed to examine the levels of inflammatory proteins in lung tissue in a cohort of patients with emphysema, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and CPFE. Materials and methods: Explanted lungs were obtained from subjects with emphysema, IPF, CPFE, (or normal subjects), and tissue extracts were prepared. Thirty-four inflammatory proteins were measured in each tissue section. Results: The levels of all 34 proteins were virtually indistinguishable in IPF compared with CPFE tissues, and collectively, the inflammatory profile in the emphysematous tissues were distinct from IPF and CPFE. Moreover, inflammatory protein levels were independent of the severity of the level of diseased tissue. Conclusions: We find that emphysematous lung tissues have a distinct inflammatory profile compared with either IPF or CPFE. However, the inflammatory profile in CPFE lungs is essentially identical to lungs from patients with IPF. These data suggest that distinct inflammatory processes collectively contribute to the disease processes in patients with emphysema, when compared to IPF and CPFE.背景：目前，联合肺纤维化与肺气肿（combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, CPFE）的病因学与炎症谱仍不明确。 目的：本研究旨在针对肺气肿、间质性肺纤维化（interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, IPF）以及CPFE患者队列，检测其肺组织内炎症蛋白的表达水平。 材料与方法：本研究从肺气肿、IPF、CPFE患者及正常对照受试者中获取切除肺组织，并制备组织提取物。对每一份组织切片中的34种炎症蛋白进行了检测。 结果：IPF组织与CPFE组织中全部34种蛋白的表达水平几乎无差异；总体而言，肺气肿组织的炎症谱与IPF及CPFE组织存在显著差异。此外，炎症蛋白的表达水平与病变组织的严重程度无关。 结论：本研究发现，与IPF或CPFE患者的肺组织相比，肺气肿肺组织的炎症谱存在显著差异。然而，CPFE患者肺组织的炎症谱与IPF患者肺组织基本一致。上述数据表明，与IPF及CPFE患者相比，肺气肿患者的疾病进程由独特的炎症反应共同介导。