Abstract
Secretoglobin family 1A member 1 (SCGB1A1) alternatively known as club cell protein 16 is a protective pneumo-protein. Decreased serum levels of SCGB1A1 have been associated with tobacco smoke induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (TS-COPD). Exposure to biomass smoke (BMS) is an important COPD risk factor among women in low and lower-middle income countries. Therefore, in a cross-sectional study (n = 50/group; total 200 subjects) we assessed serum SCGB1A1 levels in BMS-COPD subjects (11 male, 39 female) compared to TS-COPD (all male) along with TS-CONTROL (asymptomatic smokers, all male) and healthy controls (29 male, 21 female) in an Indian population. Normal and chronic bronchitis like bronchial mucosa models developed at the air-liquid interface using human primary bronchial epithelial cells (3 donors, and three replicates per donor) were exposed to cigarette smoke condensate (CSC; 0.25, 0.5, and 1%) to assess SCGB1A1 transcript expression and protein secretion. Significantly (p < 0.0001) decreased serum SCGB1A1 concentrations (median, interquartile range, ng/mL) were detected in both BMS-COPD (1.6; 1.3-2.4) and TS-COPD (1.8; 1.4-2.5) subjects compared to TS-CONTROL (3.3; 2.9-3.5) and healthy controls (5.1; 4.5-7.2). The levels of SCGB1A1 were positively correlated (r = 0.7-0.8; p < 0.0001) with forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity, their ratios, and exercise capacity. The findings are also consistent within the BMS-COPD sub-group as well. Significantly (p < 0.03) decreased SCGB1A1 concentrations were detected with severity of COPD, dyspnea, quality of life, and mortality indicators. In vitro studies demonstrated significantly (p < 0.05) decreased SCGB1A1 transcript and/or protein levels following CSC exposure. Circulating SCGB1A1 levels may therefore also be considered as a potent marker of BMS-COPD and warrant studies in larger independent cohorts.