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Th1/Th2 cytokine pattern in Arab children with severe asthma
Nasser M Al-Daghri1, Majed S Alokail1, Hossam M Draz2
1Biomarkers Research Program, Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University 11451, Saudi Arabia ; Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, King Saud University Riyadh, KSA.
Insights
Childhood asthma in Saudi Arabia is linked to immune system differences, with specific cytokine patterns like Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Immunoglobulin E (IgE) playing key roles in disease development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric immunology
- Respiratory medicine
- Allergy and immunology
Background:
- Bronchial asthma prevalence is rising in Arab countries, influenced by environmental and geographical factors.
- Limited research exists on the immunologic underpinnings of childhood asthma in Arabic populations.
- Understanding these immunologic factors is crucial for addressing the growing burden of pediatric asthma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cytokine production from T cells in children with and without asthma.
- To identify cytokine patterns associated with childhood asthma in Saudi children.
- To elucidate the immunologic basis of asthma in this specific demographic.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 195 Saudi children (98 with asthma, 97 healthy controls) was recruited from the Riyadh Cohort Study.
- Asthma diagnosis was confirmed using established pediatric criteria and medication records.
- Cytokine levels and immunoglobulin profiles were analyzed to compare asthmatic and control groups.
Main Results:
- Asthmatic children showed significantly reduced levels of GM-CSF, INF-γ, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, and IgG-3 compared to controls.
- Elevated levels of IgE, resistin, IL-4, and IgG-4 were observed in children with asthma.
- Principal component analysis indicated IL-4, INF-γ, and IgE as critical factors in the pathogenesis of asthma in Arabic children.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first immunologic data on asthmatic children in Saudi Arabia.
- Childhood asthma in this population is associated with significant immune impairment.
- The findings highlight the role of specific cytokine patterns in asthma pathogenesis, independent of genetics and environment.
Background:
Bronchial Asthma has recently emerged as one of the most prevalent diseases in Arab countries. Environmental and geographical influences were shown to be the reasons of the variations in the rates of prevalence; no analyses have nevertheless yet been performed on the immunologic background associated with this condition in Arabic children.
Objectives:
To examine the cytokine production from T cells in children with and without asthma, and to determine the role of the most related cytokine patterns in childhood asthma.
Methods:
A total of 195 Saudis children (98 asthma pediatric patients and 97 healthy controls) were randomly selected from the Riyadh Cohort Study for inclusion. Asthma was based on established pediatric diagnosis and medications taken.
Results:
Significant differences were observed between the two groups, thus, GMCSF, INF-γ, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8 and IgG-3 were reduced in patients compared to controls; in these same patients IgE, resistin, IL-4 and IgG-4 were significantly increased. In contrast with these results no differences between patients and controls were seen in CRP, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-2, IL-7, IL-10, IL-13, IgG-1, IgG-2, IgG-A and IgG-M. Result of a principal component analysis suggested that IL4. INF-γ and IgE are major players in the pathogenesis of asthma in Arabic children.
Conclusion:
These are the first data obtained in asthmatic children in Saudi; data herein confirm that this disease is associated with a profound degree of immune impairment independently of the peculiar genetic of the analyzed individuals, and of the environmental conditions that are present in this part of the world.
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