Accelerated Lung Function Decline and Mucus–Microbe Evolution in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

<b>Rationale:</b> Progressive lung function loss is recognized in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, no study concurrently evaluates how accelerated lung function decline relates to mucus properties and the microbiome in COPD. <b>Objectives:</b> Longitudinal assessment of mucus and microbiome changes accompanying accelerated lung function decline in patients COPD. <b>Methods:</b> This was a prospective, longitudinal assessment of the London COPD cohort exhibiting the greatest FEV₁ decline (<i>n</i> = 30; accelerated decline; 156 ml/yr FEV₁ loss) and with no FEV₁ decline (<i>n</i> = 28; nondecline; 49 ml/yr FEV₁ gain) over time. Lung microbiomes from paired sputum (total 116 specimens) were assessed by shotgun metagenomics and corresponding mucus profiles evaluated for biochemical and biophysical properties. <b>Measurements and Main Results:</b> Biochemical and biophysical mucus properties are significantly altered in the accelerated decline group. Unsupervised principal component analysis showed clear separation, with mucus biochemistry associated with accelerated decline, whereas biophysical mucus characteristics contributed to interindividual variability. When mucus and microbes are considered together, an accelerated decline mucus-microbiome association emerges, characterized by increased mucin (MUC5AC [mucin 5AC] and MUC5B [mucin 5B]) concentration and the presence of <i>Achromobacter</i> and <i>Klebsiella</i>. As COPD progresses, mucus-microbiome shifts occur, initially characterized by low mucin concentration and transition from viscous to elastic dominance accompanied by the commensals <i>Veillonella</i>, <i>Gemella</i>, <i>Rothia</i>, and <i>Prevotella</i> (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] A and B) before transition to increased mucus viscosity, mucins, and DNA concentration together with the emergence of pathogenic microorganisms including <i>Haemophilus</i>, <i>Moraxella</i>, and <i>Pseudomonas</i> (GOLD E). <b>Conclusions:</b> Mucus-microbiome associations evolve over time with accelerated lung function decline, symptom progression, and exacerbations affording fresh therapeutic opportunities for early intervention.