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Eosinophilia, interleukin-5, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in asthmatic children

J M Hughes1, S J Rimmer, C M Salome

  • 1Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Allergy
|May 15, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Eosinophil levels correlate with asthma severity in children. This study highlights eosinophilia as a key indicator of inflammation in childhood asthma, impacting symptoms and school attendance.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Limited pediatric research exists on inflammatory markers and asthma severity.
  • This study investigates eosinophil-associated markers and cytokines in relation to asthma severity in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the interrelationships between eosinophil markers, cytokines, and asthma severity in children aged 8-12 years.
  • To identify key inflammatory indicators of childhood asthma severity.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 45 children with asthma twice over 2 weeks.
  • Assessed asthma severity via symptoms, lung function, medication, and histamine responsiveness.
  • Measured peripheral inflammatory markers including eosinophils, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), IL-5, and TNF-alpha.

Main Results:

  • Histamine responsiveness correlated significantly with circulating eosinophils and serum ECP.
  • Eosinophilia was higher in children with severe airway hyperresponsiveness and those missing school days.
  • Serum IL-5 levels were lower in children on inhaled corticosteroids compared to beta-agonists.
  • Cellular IL-5 production correlated with serum TNF-alpha and IL-5.

Conclusions:

  • Serum TNF-alpha and IL-5 levels were not directly linked to peripheral eosinophilia or asthma severity.
  • Eosinophilia remains the most significant inflammatory marker associated with clinical severity in childhood asthma.
  • Ex vivo cellular production of IL-5 and TNF-alpha showed interrelationships.
Abstract

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