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Cytokines in symptomatic asthma airways
D H Broide1, M Lotz, A J Cuomo
1Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Cytokines like tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are present in the airways of symptomatic asthma patients. This indicates active inflammation and immune cell involvement during asthma episodes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation.
- The role of specific cytokines in asthma pathogenesis is not fully understood.
- Investigating in vivo cytokine generation is crucial for understanding asthma exacerbations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if cytokines are generated in vivo in subjects with asthma.
- To quantify levels of key inflammatory cytokines in the airways of symptomatic and asymptomatic asthma patients.
Main Methods:
- Cytokine levels were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from symptomatic (N=24) and asymptomatic (N=9) asthma patients.
- Immunoassays, bioassays, and polymerase chain reaction were used to detect various cytokines including TNF, GM-CSF, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6.
Main Results:
- Significant levels of TNF, granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and IL-6 were detected in BALF of symptomatic asthma patients compared to asymptomatic ones.
- Elevated IL-1 beta and IL-2 levels in symptomatic patients suggest activation of alveolar macrophages and T cells.
- IL-1 alpha and IL-4 were not significantly detected in BALF between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Several cytokines, including TNF, GM-CSF, IL-1 beta, IL-2, and IL-6, are detectable in BALF during asthma episodes.
- The presence of these cytokines indicates active inflammation and immune cell involvement in symptomatic asthma.
- Findings support the role of these specific cytokines in the in vivo mechanisms of asthma.
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