Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2014 | Research article
Flagellin concentrations in expectorations from cystic fibrosis patients
Authors:
Viviane Balloy, Guiti Thévenot, Thierry Bienvenu, Philippe Morand, Harriet Corvol, Annick Clement, Reuben Ramphal, Dominique Hubert, Michel Chignard
Published in:
BMC Pulmonary Medicine
|
Issue 1/2014
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Abstract
Background
The aim was to measure flagellin concentrations in the expectorations of CF patients and to examine whether there are correlations with the level of respiratory insufficiency and inflammation.
Methods
Sputum samples from 31 adult patients chronically colonized with P. aeruginosa were collected and analysed for their content of flagellin and IL-8. Clinical data were extracted from patient files.
Results
Regardless of whether patients are colonized with mucoid strains or not, they carry clones of P. aeruginosa that express flagellin. While flagellin was present in airways of all of our CF patients, it is difficult to ascertain its contribution to inflammation (IL-8) and lung function deterioration.
Conclusions
This is the first demonstration that flagellin is present in the sputum of patients. Thus, attempts to down regulate inflammation by the use of TLR5 (flagellin receptor) antagonists remain a possibility. However, this result needs to be extended to a larger number of patients to validate it for future research on this subject.