Intermittent-Hypoxia Inhibits Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Formation: Role of Cathelicidins

Intermittent-Hypoxia Inhibits Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Formation: Role of Cathelicidins

The study will enroll 80 moderate-to-severe Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients (40 obese) and 40 age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched controls. Venous blood will be collected to isolate neutrophils, which will be tested for the ability to produce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) along with the levels of LL-37 and NETs products in the blood. Measurements will be repeat after three months treatment for OSA.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by repetitive upper airway collapse during sleep, thereby leading to intermittent hypoxia (IH). Literature revealed OSA confers a higher risk for poor infection outcomes, suggestive of defective immunity in those patients. This research aimed to investigate whether IH inhibits neutrophils to produce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) via Cathelicidins (LL-37). The human study will enroll 80 moderate-to-severe OSA patients (40 obese) and 40 age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched controls. Venous blood will be collected to isolate neutrophils, which receive either IH treatment (1% O2 for 35 mins and 21% for 25 mins per cycle, 3 cycles) or normoxic treatment. The neutrophils will be tested for the ability to produce NETs along with the levels of LL-37 and NETs products in the blood. Measurements will be repeat three months after the mainstay continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least 20 years old, with moderate to severe OSA (AHI ≥ 15/hour), and willing to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under 20 years old, suffering from diseases or conditions that may affect immune function (e.g., tumors, chemotherapy, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, etc.), or unwilling to participate in the study