Systemic inflammatory biomarkers in relation to lung function and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in adolescents

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Immunology
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Forced oscillation technique (FOT) offers enhanced sensitivity for detecting small airway dysfunction compared to spirometry.
• Systemic inflammation's role in adolescent lung development and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) requires further clarification regarding specific inflammatory proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between systemic inflammatory biomarkers and baseline lung function in adolescents.
• To investigate associations between inflammatory biomarkers and post-exercise airway responses, including EIB, in adolescents.

Main Methods:

• 143 adolescents (13-15 years) underwent spirometry, FOT, and provided blood samples.
• Exercise challenge assessed EIB via changes in FEV1, R5, and X5; plasma proteins were quantified using the Olink assay.
• Linear regression with FDR correction analyzed associations between proteins, lung function, and EIB, with interaction analysis for atopy.

Main Results:

• Higher plasma C-C motif chemokine 19 (CCL19) levels correlated with lower FEV1% predicted and X5 z-scores, indicating poorer lung and small airway function.
• No significant associations were found between plasma proteins and post-exercise airway responses after correction.
• Five proteins demonstrated significant interactions with atopy concerning EIB.

Conclusions:

• Elevated CCL19 may indicate systemic inflammation contributing to impaired lung function in early adolescence.
• Atopy-associated interactions highlight the importance of considering atopy in research on systemic inflammation and airway physiology.