Cytokine mRNA expression in the bronchoalveolar lavage cells from horses affected by different equine asthma subtypes

Equine asthma (EA) is a respiratory syndrome associated with the increase of different leukocyte populations in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Its pathogenetic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between the mRNA expression of different cytokines in the BALF, different EA subtypes and lung function. Fifteen horses underwent physical examination, airway endoscopy, BALF cytology and lung function testing (8/15). One horse did not have evidence of EA and was used as healthy reference, while the others were classified as affected by neutrophilic or mixed granulocytic EA. Cells isolated from the residual BALF were used for IL-1β, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17A genes expression by quantitative RT-PCR., Cytokine expression was compared between groups, and their correlations with BALF leukocyte and lung function were evaluated. IL-1β expression was positively correlated with BALF neutrophils count (p=0.038, r=0.56) and with increased expiratory resistance (p=0.047, r=0.76). IFN-γ was correlated with BALF mast cells (p=0.029, r=0.58). IL-4 was higher in horses with mixed granulocytic EA than neutrophilic (p=0.008), positively correlated with BALF mast cells (p=0.028, r=0.59) and inversely with whole-breath (p=0.046, r=-0.76) and expiratory reactance (p=0.003, r=-0.93). Finally, IL-17A was inversely correlated with expiratory reactance (p=0.009, r=-0.92). These results support that multiple immune responses are involved in EA pathogenesis; innate, Th2, and Th17 responses. Innate immunity appeared associated with neutrophilic inflammation, and Th2 response with increased mast cells. The role of Th1 response in EA remains questionable.