ROLE OF COPPER DEATH MARKERS ATP7A/ATP7B IN REGULATING ANTIOXIDANTS GSH AND SOD IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the underlying mechanisms by which cuproptosis-related markers ATP7A/ATP7B, together with the antioxidant regulators GSH and SOD, contribute to the pathogenesis of COPD. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using clinical data from 102 patients diagnosed with COPD and enrolled between March 2021 and December 2024, who constituted the study population.Sixty Wholesome subjects receiving medical screenings in the identical timeframe were chosen as the reference group. Multiplex concurrent fluorimetric signal quantitative PCR and WB were used to detect ATP7A, ATP7B, SLC31A1, FDX1, and DLAT in all participants. Baseline data, routine laboratory tests, COPD assessment test (CAT) scores, and pulmonary function indicators were also collected. Results: In the study group, ATP7A, ATP7B, FDX1, and DLAT expression levels were significantly lower, while SLC31A1 was considerably elevated relative to the reference group (P<0.05). No notable discrepancies were found in sex or alcohol history. However, the study group had significantly higher age, rates of diabetes and hypertension, smoking history, CRP, LTB4, ICAM-1, TNF-α, MDA, CAT scores, and airway resistance (Raw), and significantly lower GSH, SOD, FEV1, FVC, and PEFR levels (P<0.05). All these factors, including the gene expressions and clinical indicators, were significantly correlated with COPD (P<0.05). ROC analysis showed that age, CRP, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, LTB4, ICAM-1, TNF-α, MDA, CAT, and Raw had strong predictive value (AUC > 0.8), with a combined diagnostic AUC of 1. Conclusion: ATP7A/ATP7B, GSH, and SOD may reduce cuproptosis and inhibit the onset and progression of COPD. However, their individual predictive value is limited, and other indicators should be combined in clinical diagnosis.