[Expression and significance of programmed cell death 5 in patients of branchial asthma].

Objective: To explore the expression and significance of serum programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in patients with bronchial asthma.

Methods: From June to December 2011, a total of 40 adults with bronchial asthma treated in Peking University Third Hospital were enrolled. Among them, the categories were acute phase (n = 12), chronic phase (n = 14) and remission phase (n = 14). Fifteen healthy adults were selected into the control group. The percentages of peripheral blood neutrophils and eosinophils were collected and detected for each patient. Serum PDCD5 was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and asthma control test (ACT) questionnaire filled in. The relevant pulmonary functional indicators were analyzed with a pulmonary spirometer. Two-independent sample t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis.

Results: No significant difference was found between two groups with regards to the percentages of peripheral blood eosinophils and neutrophils (all P > 0.05). Serum PDCD5 was significantly higher in the patient group ((47.7 ± 29.6) vs (19.3 ± 9.8) µg/L, P < 0.05). Patients of chronic and acute phases showed a significant higher expression in PDCD5 than the remission phase ((55.2 ± 24.5) & (68.5 ± 22.1) vs (16.0 ± 7.9) µg/L, both P < 0.05). Serum PDCD5 of asthmatics showed a negative correlation with FEV(1)%, FEV(1)/FVC ratio and ACT scores (r = -0.539 to -0.798, all P < 0.05).

Conclusions: PDCD5 participates in the inflammatory process of asthmatic airway. Its abnormal expression may be associated with the uncontrolled state of asthmatics. It may serve as an indicator of assessing the levels of asthma control or a target for the treatment of asthma.