Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research
Dynamic gene expressions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a preliminary study
Published in: Critical Care | Issue 6/2014
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Introduction
Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is a serious event that is responsible for the progress of the disease, increases in medical costs and high mortality.
Methods
The aim of the present study was to identify AECOPD-specific biomarkers by evaluating the dynamic gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with AECOPD on days 1, 3 and 10 after hospital admission and to compare the derived data with data from healthy controls or patients with stable COPD.
Results
We found that 14 genes were co–differentially upregulated and 2 downregulated greater than 10-fold in patients with COPD or AECOPD compared with the healthy individuals. Eight co–differentially upregulated genes and six downregulated genes were identified as a panel of AECOPD-specific genes. Downregulation of TCF7 in PBMCs was found to be associated with the severity of COPD. Dynamic changes of Aminolevulinate-delta-synthase 2 and carbonic anhydrase I had similar patterns of Digital Evaluation Score System scores and may serve as potential genes of interest during the course of AECOPD.
Conclusion
Thus, our findings indicate a panel of altered gene expression patterns in PBMCs that can be used as AECOPD-specific dynamic biomarkers to monitor the course of AECOPD.