Defective natural killer and phagocytic activities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are restored by glycophosphopeptical (Inmunoferon)

We have investigated both modifications in natural (innate) immunity caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the effects of a glyco phosphopeptical immunomodulator (Inmunoferon) treatment on COPD-associated immunoalterations. In a double-blinded clinical trial, 60 patients with COP D received glycophosphopeptical or placebo during 90 consecutive days at or al doses of 3 g/d. Fifty-six sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects were included as a reference group for immunologic parameters. Peripheral b lood natural killer (PBNK) cell cytotoxic activity and phagocytic activity of peripheral monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Ma) and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cel ls were assessed at baseline and then again at the end of treatments. We fo und both PBNK activity and phagocytic activity to be significantly decrease d in patients with COPD compared with levels in healthy volunteers. The tre atment with glycophosphopeptical provoked significant stimulatory effects o n PBNK cytotoxic activity. This stimulation was not mediated by an increase in CD3(-)CD56(+) NK cells, Further, glycophosphopeptical significantly inc reased the percentage of monocytes and PMNs that phagocytize Escherichia co li in vitro, as well as increased phagocytic indices. We conclude that peri pheral blood cells of patients with COPD show clear defects in natural immu nity that are partially rescued by glycophosphopeptical.