ADAM29 elevation in patients with COPD and its association with lung function

<bold>Backgrounds:</bold> ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain) family are the matrix zinc-dependent metalloproteinases first identified in mammalian gonads. Other members of ADAM family, ADAM9 and ADAM33 polymorphism has been widely studied to be associated with the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recent genome-wide association study in smokers suggested an association between ADAM29 and COPD. To elucidate the relationship between ADAM29 and COPD, we evaluated the association of ADAM29 and the clinical parameters of COPD, including lung functions. <bold>Methods:</bold> We used blood samples of 20 patients with COPD and 20 healthy controls, and compared their clinical parameters, including lung function. We measured the plasma ADAM29 level of healthy controls and COPD patients. <bold>Results:</bold> The COPD patients were predominantly females (90%) and smokers (75%); their baseline lung function was lower than the healthy controls. The mean plasma ADAM29 level was 1.8328 ± 0.9941 ng/ml in the COPD patients and 1.1594 ± 0.6460 ng/ml in the healthy control group, respectively. The plasma ADAM29 level was significantly higher in COPD patients compared to healthy control. The plasma SOX18 level was inversely correlated FVC/FEV1 and FEF 25-75% of COPD patients (r = -0.339, P = 0.035 and r = -0.363, P = 0.023, respectively). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The plasma ADAM29 level was increased in COPD patients compared to healthy control and negatively correlated with lung function. These findings suggest that ADAM29 may play a role in the pathogenesis of COPD.