[Role of glucocorticoid receptor and nuclear factor-kappaB in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the expressions of glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS

Bronchial biopsies and blood specimens were obtained from 8 smokers with stable COPD (COPD group) and 8 nonsmokers with normal lung function (control group). The expressions of NF-kappaB and GCR in nucleus protein of bronchial biopsies and peripheral blood lymphocyte from these two groups were examined by Western blot.

RESULTS

The expressions of GCR in nuclear protein of peripheral blood lymphocyte and the bronchial biopsies, especially in bronchi, were significantly lower in COPD group than in control group (P<0.05, P <0.01). Also, the expressions of NF-kappaB in nuclear proteins of the bronchial biopsies and peripheral blood lymphocyte were significantly higher in COPD group than in control group (P<0.05). The expressions of NF-kappaB and GCR were significantly higher in bronchial biopsies than in peripheral blood lymphocyte in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Chronic inflammation, especially airway inflammation, still exists in patients with stable COPD, as suggested by the different expressions of GCR and NF-kappaB between COPD patients and normal controls.