Associations of serum and bronchoalveolar immunoglobulins with lung microbiota diversity, B-cell memory phenotypes, and COPD morbidity and exacerbations.

Rationale: Immunoglobulins (Ig) protect against pathogens frequently implicated in COPD exacerbations. We previously demonstrated an association of low-normal serum IgA and IgG concentrations with prospective exacerbation risk, but responsible mechanisms are undefined. Here, we examined associations of lower respiratory tract bacterial diversity to Ig levels in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and to the memory phenotypes of blood and BAL B cells.

Proteomic discovery analysis of quantitatively assessed emphysema in the general population. The MESA Lung Study.

Background: Pulmonary emphysema occurs frequently in older adults, often without airflow limitation. Its presence predicts symptoms, respiratory hospitalizations and deaths, and all-cause mortality. Proteomics may provide further insights into emphysema pathogenesis and inform therapeutic targets.

Dynamic and prognostic proteomic associations with FEV decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rationale: Identification and validation of circulating biomarkers for lung function decline in COPD remains an unmet need.

Objective: Identify prognostic and dynamic plasma protein biomarkers of COPD progression.

Methods: We measured plasma proteins using SomaScan from two COPD-enriched cohorts, the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcomes Measures in COPD Study (SPIROMICS) and Genetic Epidemiology of COPD (COPDGene), and one population-based cohort, Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) Lung.

Epidemiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects about 300 million people worldwide, resulting in approximately 64 million disability-adjusted life years. Household air pollution affects almost 3 billion people worldwide and is a major risk factor for COPD. An estimated 25% to 45% of patients with COPD worldwide have never smoked.