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Published on: August 7, 2017

Elevated level of serum osteopontin in school-age children with asthma

A Z Akelma1, M N Cizmeci2, M K Kanburoglu2

  • 1Department of Pediatric Allergy, Fatih University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.

Allergologia Et Immunopathologia
|April 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Osteopontin (OPN) levels are elevated in school-aged children with asthma, suggesting a role in allergic inflammation. OPN may be involved in childhood asthma, particularly in older children with allergic rhinitis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The role of osteopontin (OPN) in pediatric asthma remains unclear.
  • Investigating OPN's involvement in childhood allergic airway inflammation is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if osteopontin (OPN) levels differ in children with asthma compared to healthy controls.
  • To explore the association between OPN levels and allergic inflammation in preschool and school-aged children.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, cross-sectional study involving 42 healthy children and 51 children diagnosed with asthma.
  • Serum OPN levels were measured and analyzed in relation to clinical and laboratory parameters.
  • Asthma patients were stratified into two age groups: ≤5 years (Asthma Group 1) and >5 years (Asthma Group 2).

Main Results:

  • Serum OPN levels were significantly higher in the overall asthma group compared to controls (p=0.004).
  • Elevated OPN levels were observed in older asthmatic children (>5 years) but not in preschool-aged children (≤5 years).
  • In children over 5 years old with asthma, OPN levels were higher in those with allergic rhinitis.

Conclusions:

  • This study establishes a link between childhood asthma and osteopontin (OPN).
  • OPN may contribute to childhood asthma pathogenesis, potentially through Th2-mediated inflammation.
  • The lack of increased OPN in preschool asthmatics could be related to transient wheezing patterns in this age group.
Abstract

Keywords:
Childhood asthmaOsteopontinPersistent wheezingPreschool children

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