Eosinophilic inflammation and purinergic signaling in asthma and COPD

Eosinophilic inflammation forms a clinical phenotype in asthma and COPD patients. The purinergic pathway is a potential pro-inflammatory mechanism in these lung diseases. The role of this pathway in circulating eosinophils and the differences between both diseases are unknown. The aim of this study is to analyze ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 and CD26, an enzyme with a possible regulatory role in eosinophil recruitment on the surface of eosinophils from patients with severe asthma and COPD. A prospective observational study recorded clinical data of asthma and COPD patients. Blood samples were analyzed using flow cytometry to assess CD39, CD73, and CD26 marker expressions, along with eosinophil count and percentage. A control group of healthy subjects was included. The analysis comprised 27 patients (asthma: n=14, COPD: n=13), aged 62.8±12. Differences between diseases were observed in the distribution of gender, smoking and FEV₁. Eosinophilia levels were significantly higher in patients with asthma. Marker analysis (Fig. 1) revealed higher expression of CD39, CD73, and CD26 in eosinophils from COPD patients, showing significant differences for CD39 and CD26. Eosinophils from patients with asthma and COPD showed a different purinergic regulation. These results highlight the need for further investigation of the differential role of these enzymes in different airway pathologies. Funding: FIS PI20-0777 <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA3523/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>