T-cell reactivity (IFNγ and IL-2) on PMBCs of 45 subjects against elastin peptides, collagen I peptides and collagen V peptides, stratified according to emphysema presence
| Non-smoking controls | Emphysema absent | Emphysema present | p Value | |
| No. of subjects | 11 | 15 | 19 | |
| Elastin peptides | ||||
| IFNγ expression (ratio) | 1.4 (0.9–2.4) | 3.0 (1.5–5.2) | 2.6 (1.3–4.5) | 0.116 |
| IL-2 expression (ratio) | 0.9 (0.9–1.5) | 1.2 (0.8–1.5) | 1.0 (0.7–1.5) | 0.731 |
| Collagen I peptides | ||||
| IFNγ expression (ratio) | 1.3 (0.9–1.9) | 1.7 (1.1–2.8) | 1.7 (0.8–3.6) | 0.475 |
| IL2 expression (ratio) | 1.2 (0.6–1.4) | 1.0 (0.7–1.6) | 1.0 (0.8–1.5) | 0.989 |
| Collagen V peptides | ||||
| IFNγ expression (ratio) | 1.7 (1.3–5.2) | 6.2 (4.0–20.9) | 7.3 (2.8–20.3) | 0.008* |
| IL-2 expression (ratio) | 0.7 (0.6–1.1) | 1.2 (0.5–1.4) | 1.0 (0.8–1.7) | 0.195 |
Data are presented as median (IQR). Kruskall–Wallis p values are reported.
*p<0.05.
IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin; PBMC, peripheral blood mononuclear cell.