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Serum Level of CD48 and Its Expression on Blood Leukocytes in Persistent Asthmatic Patients
Rehab A Rabie1, Nagwan A Ismail2, Ahmed Mokhtar3
1Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Abstract:
CD48 is a surface receptor (mCD48) expressed on most hematopoietic cells, as well as in a soluble form (sCD48). It seems to play a major role in asthma through the interactions of mast cells with eosinophils via its ligand CD244. Hence, this study was done to evaluate the role of CD48, in its membrane and soluble forms, as a novel biomarker in asthma with various degrees of severity. One hundred participants were enrolled in this study and divided into 4 equal groups matched in age and sex; mild asthma, moderate asthma, severe asthma and apparently healthy controls. All were investigated for blood leukocytes mCD48 expression using flow cytometry and sCD48 in serum using ELISA. Our results revealed that the sCD48 was significantly elevated in patients with mild asthma compared with the controls (P<0.001) while significantly decreased in severe asthma than mild asthma (P<0.001) and moderate asthma (P=0.002) patient groups. Expression of mCD48 on eosinophils in moderate asthma group was significantly elevated compared with the control and the mild asthmatic groups (P<0.001). However, it was significantly decreased in severe asthma compared with moderate and mild asthma (P<0.001 and P=0.03, respectively). While it was significantly upregulated in severe asthmatic group compared to controls, patients with mild and moderate asthma on T-cell, B cells, Monocytes and NK cells (P<0.001 for all). In conclusion, CD48 may play a role in asthma and its level varies with severity of the disease being a useful marker in mild asthma.
Insights
Soluble CD48 (sCD48) levels are elevated in mild asthma but decrease with severity. Membrane CD48 (mCD48) expression on eosinophils and immune cells also varies by asthma severity, suggesting CD48 as a potential biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- CD48, a cell surface receptor and soluble factor, is implicated in asthma pathogenesis through mast cell-eosinophil interactions.
- Understanding the role of CD48 in different asthma severities is crucial for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of CD48, in both membrane-bound (mCD48) and soluble (sCD48) forms, as a novel biomarker for asthma across varying disease severities.
- To correlate CD48 expression levels with asthma severity.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 100 participants divided into mild asthma, moderate asthma, severe asthma, and healthy control groups.
- Quantification of membrane CD48 (mCD48) expression on leukocytes using flow cytometry.
- Measurement of soluble CD48 (sCD48) levels in serum using ELISA.
Main Results:
- Soluble CD48 (sCD48) was significantly elevated in mild asthma patients compared to controls, but decreased significantly in severe asthma compared to mild and moderate groups.
- Membrane CD48 (mCD48) expression on eosinophils was elevated in moderate asthma but decreased in severe asthma compared to moderate and mild groups.
- mCD48 was upregulated on T-cells, B cells, monocytes, and NK cells in severe asthma compared to controls, mild, and moderate asthma groups.
Conclusions:
- CD48 plays a role in asthma, with its levels varying significantly based on disease severity.
- Both soluble and membrane forms of CD48 show potential as biomarkers, particularly sCD48 in mild asthma.
