Exhaled breath condensate and serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor in pneumonia

Abstract

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a protein produced by mesenchymal cells in many organs, which can stimulate epithelial growth. An enhanced production and concentration of HGF is observed after injuries. The lung is one of the major sources of HGF. By cooling exhaled air, a condensate is formed containing molecules from bronchi and alveoli. In order to investigate HGF-concentration and time course in pneumonia, paired serum and exhaled breath condensate was collected from 10 patients with pneumonia, 10 patients with non-respiratory infections and 11 healthy controls. The concentration of HGF was measured by an immunoassay kit. In the acute phase HGF-levels in breath condensate and serum were significantly higher in the patients with pneumonia compared to the control groups. Similar concentrations in breath condensate were seen in healthy controls and in patients with non-respiratory infections. In the patients with pneumonia a decrease in serum HGF was seen already after 4-7 days while HGF values in breath condensate remained elevated even after 4-6 weeks. These results might imply local product on of HGF in the lungs and a long repair and healing process after pneumonia.

Exhaled breath condensate: methodological recommendations and unresolved questions

“…Other molecules/materials EBC contains other molecules/characteristics that can provide important information including p53 mutation [157,158], DNA [7,49] hepatocyte growth factor [159], vitronectin, endothelin-1 [160], chemotactic activity [42]. The protein content of EBC was found to be different between samples from healthy subjects and those from smokers [42] or patients with COPD [28].…”

The potential of the immunological markers of sarcoidosis in exhaled breath and peripheral blood as future diagnostic and monitoring techniques

“…Elevated hydrogen peroxide levels have also been demonstrated in EBC of sarcoidosis patients, as well as end-products of lipid peroxidation (Kwiatkowska et al 2005). Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is produced by fibroblasts, causing strong epithelial proliferative responses and has been found to be elevated in EBC of patients with pneumonia (Nayeri et al 2002). HGF inhibits TGF-b-induced transformation of myofibroblasts in vitro, indicating it could be implicated in preventing the development of fibrosis (Faehling et al 2008).…”

Hepatocyte Growth Factor Is a Better Indicator of Therapeutic Response than C-Reactive Protein within the First Day of Treatment in Pneumonia

“…The level of HGF is increased systemically during infectious diseases [4] . High amounts of HGF have been shown in plasma and exhaled breath condensate of patients with pneumonia [5] . We have previously investigated the levels of HGF in the blood of patients with pneumonia before and after 48 and 72 h of antibiotic initiation.…”