Novel neutrophil-derived proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid indicate an exaggerated inflammatory response in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients

Abstract

Background: Airway inflammation in cystic fibrosis (CF) is exaggerated and characterized by neutrophil-mediated tissue destruction, but its genesis and mechanisms remain poorly understood. To further define the pulmonary inflammatory response, we conducted a proteome-based screen of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected from young children with and without CF experiencing endobronchial infection. Methods: We collected BALF samples from 45 children younger than 5 years and grouped them according to the presence of respiratory pathogens: ≥1 × 105 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL BALF (18 and 12 samples with and without CF, respectively) and <1 × 105 CFU/mL (23 and 15 samples). BALF protei..