The Inflammation Group of INCLIVA, coordinated by UV Pharmacology professor Mª Jesús Sanz, has found a possible indicator of cardiovascular pathology among patients who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is associated with tobacco use. The results of the research could be applied for an early detection of the pathology. It can be used as well in new researches addressing the treatment of cardiovascular comorbidity of COPD.
“These days the main beneficiaries of this measure are people who have the pathology detected and non-fully developed. The most important thing is to stop smoking. Nonetheless, former smokers who already have their immune system altered might develop the disease” stated Mª Jesús Sanz. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 16 million people suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the World.
As the researcher explains, the initial goals of this study were finding out why tobacco damaged arteries and observing how the soluble part of the tobacco extract moving from the lung to the bloodstream damaged it. To this end, human cells were exposed to an aqueous extract of tobacco smoke.
“We observed that the aqueous extract produced a molecule in the endothelium (a tissue that covers the walls of the blood vessels) that adhered to leucocytes as a consequence of endothelium dysfunctions. This situation can cause eventually cardiovascular pathologies” explained Sanz.
Finally, they have confirmed that white blood cells adhere quicker to the endothelium exposed to the smoke among patients who suffer COPD than in healthy individuals.
The research entitled “Cigarette Smoke Increases Endothelial CXCL16-Leukocyte CXCR6 Adhesion In Vitro and In Vivo. Potential Consequences in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease” has been published in the magazine Frontiers in Immunology.
This research has been carried out by two groups: the Pulmonology Service of the Hospital Clínico Universitario of Valencia and the Inflammation Group of INCLIVA. The latter is specialized in studying the role of the immune system when it comes to the development of cardiovascular pathologies. In this case, it is a transnational study in which eight basic and clinic researchers have worked together for more than five years.
Results have been obtained thanks to exposing cells in vitro and in vivo to tobacco smoke. In the case of human samples (in vitro), endothelium cells of umbilical cords, leucocytes and whole blood were used. Samples came from healthy individuals and patients who suffered from COPD. Mice were used for in vivo exposure to tobacco smoke.
According to María Jesús Sanz, although the research main applications are in the immunology field, it could also be used to study other types of cardiovascular pathologies or risk factors. “We did not find a soluble indicator, but we did find indicators related to the membrane, which are more difficult to find. The objective now is to find other soluble indicators that could determine which people might develop a cardiovascular pathology” stated the researcher.
It is more common among men
All patients came from the Pulmonology service of the Hospital Clínico Universitario of Valencia. The number of male patients was superior. COPD is more likely to develop among men than women. This is not caused by the genetic characteristics, but because of the habits. The tendency may change in the future, as in this age bracket women are more prone to suffer cardiovascular pathologies due to the decline of circulating oestrogen levels” explained María Jesús Sanz.
Article:
Marques P, Collado A, Escudero P, Rius C, González C, Servera E, Piqueras L, Sanz MJ. «Cigarette Smoke Increases Endothelial CXCL16-Leukocyte CXCR6 Adhesion In Vitro and In Vivo. Potential Consequences in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease». Front Immunol. 13 December 2017 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2017.01766
