Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
5724760 Journal of Cystic Fibrosis 2016 4 Pages PDF
Abstract

BackgroundYKL-40 is a chitinase-like protein present in serum of healthy subjects and its levels are increased in several human inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of both serum and sputum YKL-40 in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.MethodsSerum and sputum YKL-40 levels were measured in a cohort of twenty-eight patients with a diagnosis of CF and twenty healthy controls.ResultsSerum YKL-40 levels were significantly higher in CF patients (88.8 ± 56.7 vs 18.6 ± 2.9 ng/ml, P < 0.001), as well as sputum YKL-40 levels (138.5 ± 132.7 vs 28.2 ± 24.34, P < 0.001) than in healthy controls. Serum YKL-40 levels were closely related to YKL-40 levels assessed in sputum samples (r = 0.71; P < 0.01).ConclusionsYKL-40 is elevated in CF patients and is further elevated during severe exacerbations. Longitudinal studies in infant are needed to establish its role in disease pathogenesis.

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