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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Turbidimetry on Human Washed Platelets: The Effect of the Pannexin1-inhibitor Brilliant Blue FCF on Collagen-induced Aggregation
Published on: April 6, 2017
Enhanced production of platelet activating factor by peripheral granulocytes from children with asthma
Insights
Symptomatic asthmatic children generate significantly more platelet-activating factor (PAF) than asymptomatic children or healthy controls. This suggests PAF plays a key role in asthma exacerbations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatric Allergy
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation.
- Granulocytes play a role in the inflammatory response during asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the generation of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) by granulocytes in asthmatic children.
- To determine the association between PAF and LTC4 generation and asthma symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Granulocytes were isolated from asthmatic and healthy children's blood.
- In vitro stimulation with ionophore A23187.
- Quantification of newly synthesized PAF and LTC4 using radio receptor assay and radioimmunoassay, respectively.
Main Results:
- Symptomatic asthmatic children showed significantly higher PAF generation compared to asymptomatic asthmatic children and healthy controls.
- LTC4 generation was elevated in both asthmatic groups compared to controls.
- A strong correlation was observed between PAF generation and asthma symptom severity.
Conclusions:
- Platelet-activating factor (PAF) generation is significantly elevated in symptomatic asthmatic children.
- PAF may play a crucial regulatory role in the exacerbation of childhood asthma.
- Further research into PAF's role could lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
Granulocytes from 23 asthmatic children aged 4-15 years and 32 age-matched healthy children were studied. Cells were purified by Dextran sedimentation and Percoll gradient centrifugation from heparinized blood. After in vitro stimulation by ionophore A23187 the amount of newly synthesized PAF and LTC4 was assessed by radio receptor assay or radioimmunoassay respectively. Eight patients had symptoms of asthma within the last 3 weeks before examination. Granulocytes from the symptomatic patients showed a significantly higher PAF generation (median 125 ng/10(6) cells, range 7-189 ng/10(6) cells) when compared to asymptomatic patients (p less than 0.001, median 14 ng/10(6) cells, range 6-33 ng/10(6) cells) or controls (p less than 0.001, median 11 ng/10(6) cells, range 3-26 ng/10(6) cells). In contrast, LTC4 generation was increased in both patient groups. The results suggest a regulatory role of PAF in the exacerbation of asthma.
