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[Eosinophils apoptosis in asthmatic children]
Guang-min Nong1, Shu-quan Li, Long Yao
1Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530027, China.
Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Pediatrics
|February 3, 2004
Summary
In asthmatic children, eosinophil apoptosis is reduced in airways, but inhaled glucocorticoids increase it. This finding highlights a key mechanism for glucocorticoid therapy in asthma management.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Eosinophilic airway inflammation is central to asthma pathogenesis.
- Disruptions in eosinophil apoptosis are implicated in asthma mechanisms.
- In vivo studies in adult asthmatics are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between apoptotic eosinophils and Bcl-2 in children with asthma.
- To examine these factors in vivo within pediatric asthmatic patients.
Main Methods:
- Compared 11 mild-to-moderate asthmatic children (7-14 years) with 7 children with lower respiratory infection.
- Utilized TUNEL and immunohistochemistry to measure apoptotic eosinophils (EG(2)(+)) in sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and bronchial mucosa.
- Assessed Bcl-2 expression in bronchial mucosa before and after inhaled glucocorticoid (GC) treatment.
Main Results:
- Asthmatic children had lower apoptotic EG(2)(+) cells and higher total EG(2)(+) cells in airways compared to controls (P < 0.01, P < 0.001).
- GC treatment increased apoptotic EG(2)(+) cells and decreased total EG(2)(+) cells in asthmatics (P < 0.01).
- FEV(1)% improved post-GC treatment (P < 0.05), correlating positively with eosinophil apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Eosinophil apoptosis is reduced in the airways of asthmatic children.
- Inducing eosinophil apoptosis is a significant mechanism of inhaled glucocorticoid therapy for asthma.