Clara cell secretory protein - Levels in BAL fluid after smoking cessation

Study objectives: The bronchiolar Clara cell is a major target for tobacco smoke exposure. To improve our understanding of the putative regeneratiee/r epair mechanism(s) in the bronchiolar epithelium, we measured the levels of the Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) in BAL fluid in healthy volunteers following smoking cessation. Design: BAL was performed before smoking cess ation, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 months following smoking cessation, in eig ht healthy volunteers with a previous mean cigarette consumption of 19 pack -years. The levels of CCSP in BAL fluid were assessed in immunoblotting exp eriments using an antibody against human CCSP, Results: Significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of CCSP in BAL fluid were observed at 3, 6, and 9 month s after smoking cessation, while the levels of CCSP in BAL, fluid at 15 mon ths after smoking cessation were the same as those before smoking cessation . Conclusions: Despite the long history of smoking among patients in the pr esent study group, signs of early regeneration in the bronchiolar epitheliu m were noted, in that the levels of CCSP in BAL fluid were elevated at the indicated time points following smoking cessation. Furthermore, we propose that the insult to the bronchiolar epithelium made by cigarette smoking cau sed the levels of CCSP in the BAL fluid at 15 months after smoking cessatio n to return. to the levels noted before smoking cessation. The present stud y suggests a role for CCSP as a marker for nonciliated bronchiolar cell fun ction.