YKL-40 and Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease

Sample size: 338 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Hector Andreas, Kormann Michael S. D., Mack Ines, Latzin Philipp, Casaulta Carmen, Kieninger Elisabeth, Zhou Zhe, Yildirim Ali Ö., Bohla Alexander, Rieber Nikolaus, Kappler Matthias, Koller Barbara, Eber Ernst, Eickmeier Olaf, Zielen Stefan, Eickelberg Oliver, Griese Matthias, Mall Marcus A., Hartl Dominik

Primary Institution: Department I, Children's Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

Hypothesis

YKL-40 plays a key role in cystic fibrosis lung disease, a prototypic neutrophilic disease.

Conclusion

YKL-40 levels are increased in cystic fibrosis patients and correlate with lung function and disease severity.

Supporting Evidence

YKL-40 levels were significantly increased in both sputum supernatants and serum from CF patients compared to healthy controls.
YKL-40 levels correlated positively with the severity of pulmonary obstruction.
Two YKL-40 SNPs were found to modulate age-adjusted lung function in CF patients.
YKL-40 levels in CF sputa were consistently higher than in serum.

Takeaway

This study found that a protein called YKL-40 is higher in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis, which might help doctors understand and treat the disease better.