Microvesicles in bronchoalveolar lavage as a potential biomarker of COPD

Microvesicles (MVs) released from almost all cells are recognized as cell communication tools. MVs have been investigated in several inflammatory diseases but poorly biological fluids like bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of smokers. The purpose this study was to investigate the presence and source BAL smokers with without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared nonsmoking controls. Using flow cytometry BAL, we detected endothelial alveolar macrophage (AM)-derived found a higher number AM-MVs COPD than nonsmokers, which correlated pack-years ( r = 0.46; P 0.05) degree airway obstruction measured by forced expiratory volume 1 s percent predicted ?0.56; 0.01). Endothelial macrophage-derived present measurable human fluid. In response smoking development COPD, signals AM-derived can be quantified, their numbers related decrease lung function. These results open opportunity for future investigation these microvesicles biomarkers possible mechanistic guides COPD.