A cluster analysis of bronchiectasis patients based on the airway immune profile.

A CLUSTER ANALYSIS OF BRONCHIECTASIS PATIENTS BASED ON THE AIRWAY IMMUNE PROFILE. Chest. 2020 Nov 17;: Authors: Perea L, Cantó E, Suarez-Cuartin G, Aliberti S, Chalmers JD, Sibila O, Vidal S Abstract BACKGROUND: Clinical heterogeneity in bronchiectasis remains a challenge to improve the appropriate targeting of therapies and patient management. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been linked to disease severity and phenotype. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can we identify clusters of patients based on the levels of AMPs, airway inflammation, tissue remodeling and damage; and to establish their relationship with disease severity and clinical outcomes? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective cohort of n=128 stable patients with bronchiectasis were recruited across three centers in three different countries (Spain, Scotland and Italy). Two-step cluster strategy was used to stratify patients according to levels of lactoferrin, lysozyme, LL-37 and SLPI in sputum. Measurements of inflammation (IL-8, TGF-β and IL-6), tissue remodeling and damage (GAGs, MMP-9, neutrophil elastase, total and bacterial DNA) and neutrophil chemotaxis were assessed. RESULTS: Three clusters of patients were defined according to distinct airway profiles of AMPs. They represented groups of patients with gradually distinct airway infection and disease severity. Each cluster was associated with an airway profile of inflammation, tissue remodeling and dam...
Source: Chest - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Chest Source Type: research