Serum Zonulin Is a Biomarker for Severe Asthma

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Immunology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Zonulin regulates epithelial and endothelial barrier function by disrupting tight junctions.
• Impaired epithelial barrier function is a key feature of airway inflammation in asthma.
• The specific role of zonulin in severe asthma pathogenesis requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of zonulin in the pathogenesis of severe asthma.
• To compare serum zonulin levels and bronchial expression between severe asthma, mild-to-moderate asthma, and normal controls.
• To identify zonulin as a potential biomarker for severe asthma.

Main Methods:

• Serum zonulin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
• Zonulin expression in bronchial tissue was assessed via immunohistochemical staining.
• Clinical data and biological samples were obtained from adult asthma patients and healthy controls.

Main Results:

• Serum zonulin levels were significantly higher in severe asthma patients compared to mild-to-moderate asthmatics and controls (P < 0.001).
• Serum zonulin levels correlated inversely with percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (%FEV1) (r = -0.35, P = 0.009).
• Increased zonulin expression was observed in the bronchial epithelium of severe asthma patients.

Conclusions:

• Zonulin plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of severe asthma.
• Elevated serum zonulin levels may serve as a potential biomarker for identifying severe asthma.
• Targeting zonulin pathways could offer new therapeutic strategies for severe asthma.