Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Dec 2011
Measurement of soluble perforin, a marker of CD8+ T lymphocyte activation in epithelial lining fluid.
CD8(+) T lymphocytes in the peripheral airways have been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD. However, the significance of CD8(+) T lymphocyte activation in COPD is not well understood. A biomarker of CD8(+) T lymphocyte activation in patients with COPD is required. ⋯ The microsampling technique is safe and useful for separately obtaining ELF from central and peripheral airways. Levels of perforin in ELF from peripheral airways were significantly increased and correlated with the degree of pulmonary dysfunction. Perforin might reflect inflammation involving CD8(+) T-lymphocytes. This novel biomarker might enable better understanding of the pathogenesis of COPD.