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Potential implication of endothelial cells in bronchial asthma
P Lassalle1, Y Delneste, P Gosset
1Centre d'Immunologie et Biologie Parasitaire Institut Pasteur, Lille, France.
International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Endothelial cells (EC) play a role in asthma by becoming activated or through autoimmune responses. This research highlights EC activation and autoantibodies in asthma pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Inflammatory cells are key in asthma pathophysiology.
- These cells must cross the endothelial wall to reach inflammatory sites.
- Endothelial cells (EC) may be implicated in bronchial asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of endothelial cells (EC) in bronchial asthma.
- To examine EC activation via adhesion molecule expression.
- To detect autoantibodies against EC in allergic disorders.
Main Methods:
- Studied intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression on EC.
- Used supernatants from alveolar macrophages (AM) of asthma patients.
- Detected autoantibodies against EC antigens in allergic patients.
Main Results:
- AM supernatants from late asthmatic reactions enhanced ICAM-1 expression on EC.
- ICAM-1 increase correlated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels.
- Autoantibodies against EC antigens were found in severe asthma and allergic granulomatosis.
Conclusions:
- Bronchial asthma may involve EC activation through adhesion molecule induction.
- Autoimmune processes targeting EC antigens could contribute to asthma.
- Endothelial cell involvement offers new perspectives for asthma research.