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Alveolar macrophage phagocytosis is impaired in children with poorly controlled asthma

Anne M Fitzpatrick1, Fernando Holguin, W Gerald Teague

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. anne.fitzpatrick@emory.edu

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|April 18, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Alveolar macrophage phagocytosis is impaired in children with poorly controlled asthma, showing decreased function and increased apoptosis. This compromise in immune cell activity may contribute to respiratory infections in pediatric asthma patients.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pulmonology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Lower respiratory tract infections are common in children with poorly controlled asthma.
  • Alveolar macrophages (AMs) play a crucial role in innate immunity.
  • Impaired AM phagocytosis was hypothesized in poorly controlled asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the phagocytic capacity and apoptosis rates of alveolar macrophages in children with moderate and severe asthma.
  • To compare AM function between asthmatic children, children with chronic cough, and healthy adults.

Main Methods:

  • Alveolar macrophages were isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of asthmatic children, children with chronic cough, and healthy adults.
  • AMs were stimulated with LPS and exposed to Staphylococcus aureus to quantify phagocytosis via a phagocytic index (PI).
  • Apoptosis was measured by the percentage of cells positive for poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase.

Main Results:

  • Unstimulated phagocytic index (PI) was significantly decreased in children with moderate and severe asthma compared to controls.
  • LPS stimulation did not alter phagocytosis levels in asthmatic children.
  • Children with severe asthma exhibited increased AM apoptosis, which correlated with reduced PI.

Conclusions:

  • Alveolar macrophage function is compromised in children with poorly controlled asthma.
  • Decreased phagocytosis and increased apoptosis characterize AMs in pediatric asthma.
  • These functional deficits in AMs may underlie increased susceptibility to respiratory infections in asthmatic children.

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