Soluble intercellular adhesion molecules in the serum of subjects exposed to dust at different workplaces – Correlation to airway symptoms, lung function, tobacco and dust exposure

Association of Circulating Adhesion Molecules With Lung Function

“…The inverse association between year-15 serum ICAM-1 concentration and year-20 lung function is consistent with the hypothesis that factors that increase concentrations of circulating adhesion molecules can induce local lung inflammation and subsequently result in lower FVC and FEV 1 . The associations between circulating adhesion molecules and lung function have been previously found 16,17 in subgroups, such as workers in occupational settings with exposure to ceramic dust, smokers, or persons with asthma. One other study 18 has evaluated the associations among P-selectin, ICAM-1, and lung function in the general population, and showed a cross-sectional association among increased ICAM-1 levels (when analyzed as a sole biomarker), increased P-selectin levels, and reduced FEV 1 .…”

“…molecules, which may provide a biological basis for the increased concentrations of circulating adhesion molecules following decrease in FVC and FEV 1 . Numerous studies 17,18,[23][24][25][26] have shown serum levels of ICAM-1 and P-selectin to be higher among smokers than among nonsmokers and levels of circulating adhesion molecules to be associated with decreased FEV 1 in smokers than in never-smokers. In addition, both ICAM-1 and P-selectin play an important role in lung inflammation and may contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma.…”

“…Data supporting an association between P-selectin and ICAM-1 and lung disease are more limited, but the levels of circulating ICAM-1 are increased among patients with emphysema and chronic bronchitis, diseases in which inflammation is thought to play an important role. 16 In addition, increased ICAM-1 concentration is associated with decreased lung function, 17 and cross-sectional data from the Framingham cohort study 18 have revealed higher P-selectin levels with decreased FEV 1 in participants with an average age of 60 years. However, these observations have not been entirely consistent, as another study 19 found no association of serum ICAM-1 levels with stable asthma or COPD.…”