Number, activation, and differentiation of circulating fibrocytes correlate with asthma severity.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:A biomarker that predicts poor asthma control would be clinically useful. Fibrocytes are bone marrow-derived circulating progenitor cells that have been implicated in tissue fibrosis and T(H)2 responses in asthmatic patients. OBJECTIVE:We sought to test the hypothesis that the concentration and activation state of peripheral blood fibrocytes correlates with asthma severity. METHODS:By using fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, fibrocytes (CD45(+) and collagen 1 [Col1](+)) were enumerated and characterized in the buffy coats of fresh peripheral blood samples from 15 control subjects and 40 asthmatic patients. RESULTS:Concentrations of peripheral blood total (CD45(+)Col1(+)), activated (the TGF-? transducing protein phosphorylated SMAD2/3 [p-SMAD2/3](+) or phosphorylated AKT [p-AKT](+)), and differentiated (?-smooth muscle actin [?-SMA](+)) fibrocytes were increased in asthmatic patients compared with control subjects. The increase in total and CD45(+)Col1(+)CXCR4(+) fibrocytes was primarily seen in patients with severe asthma (Global Initiative for Asthma steps 4-5) as opposed to those with milder asthma (Global Initiative for Asthma steps 1-3). In addition, numbers of circulating ?-SMA(+) and ?-SMA(+)CXCR4(+) fibrocytes were increased in asthmatic patients experiencing an asthma exacerbation in the preceding 12 months. A significant correlation (P < .05) was observed between CD45(+)Col1(+)CXCR4(+) fibrocytes and the activation phenotypes CD45(+)Col1(+)p-SMAD2/3(+) and CD45(+)Col1(+)p-AKT(+). CONCLUSION:There was correlation between circulating fibrocyte subsets and asthma severity, and there was an increased number of activated/differentiated fibrocytes in circulating blood of asthmatic patients experiencing an exacerbation in the preceding 12 months.
SUBMITTER: Shipe R
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4836439 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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