American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Oct 2019
Pregnancy Zone Protein is Associated with Airway Infection, Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation and Disease Severity in Bronchiectasis.
Rationale: PZP (pregnancy zone protein) is a broad-spectrum immunosuppressive protein believed to suppress T-cell function during pregnancy to prevent fetal rejection. It has not previously been reported in the airway. Objectives: To characterize PZP in the bronchiectasis airway, including its relationship with disease severity. ⋯ Effective antibiotic therapy reduced sputum PZP. Conclusions: PZP is released into NETs. We report a novel link between airway infection, NET formation, and disease severity in bronchiectasis during chronic airway inflammation.