The association of down-regulated toll-like receptor 4 expression with airflow limitation and emphysema in smokers

Table 1 Comparison of characteristics and pulmonary function between the groups

Characteristic	Low Expressers	Intermediate Expressers	High Expressers	P-value
	(TLR4/actin < 0.15)	(0.15 ≤ TLR4/actin < 0.5)	(TLR4/actin ≥ 0.5)
	N = 12	N = 25	N = 16
Age, years	65.3 ± 8.3	64.0 ± 9.2	67.4 ± 7.8	0.49
Male gender, n (%)	12 (100)	24 (96.0)	15 (93.8)	0.69
Smoking, pack-years	38.8 ± 27.2	35.6 ± 17.8	38.8 ± 22.3	0.87
Current smoker, n (%)	10 (83.3)	20 (80.0)	9 (56.3)	0.17
TB history present, n (%)	2 (16.7)	6 (24.0)	3 (18.7)	0.85
ICS users^*, n (%)	2 (16.7)	2 (8.0)	1 (6.3)	0.61

TLR4, toll-like receptor 4; TB, tuberculosis; ICS, inhaled corticosteroid; FEV₁, forced expiratory volume in one second; FVC, forced vital capacity; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
*The number of patients with inhaled corticosteroid prescribed within 3 months of lung resection. Fluticasone 250mcg with formoterol 50mcg twice a day was prescribed in four patients and fluticasone 500mcg with formoterol 50mcg twice a day in one low expresser.

ISSN: 1465-993X