Periostin and Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin-Potential Crosstalk in Obstructive Airway Diseases

Periostin and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) are newly described markers of obstructive airway diseases and the mechanism by which both markers participate in immune response remains poorly understood. The aim of our study was to determine periostin and TSLP concentration in serum and induced sputum (IS) in patients with atopic asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and controls, as well as to evaluate the potential link between periostin, TSLP, and Th2 immune response. Serum and IS levels of periostin, TSLP, IL-4, and IL-13 were determined in 12 atopic asthmatics, 16 COPD sufferers, and 10 controls. We noticed a significantly higher IS periostin and TSLP concentration at protein and mRNA level in asthmatics compared to the two other groups; additionally, periostin and TSLP were correlated positively with IS eosinophil count. A strong positive correlation between IS periostin and TSLP protein levels (r = 0.96) as well as mRNA expression level (r = 0.95) was found in patients with asthma. The results of our study show that periostin and TSLP are associated with eosinophilic airway inflammation and seem to be important drivers of atopic asthma but not COPD pathobiology. Very strong correlations between local periostin, TSLP, eosinophils, and IL-4 in asthma point to the link between periostin-TSLP and Th2 response.