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Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation
Published on: July 23, 2012
Corticosteroid-sensitive lymphocytes are normal in atopic asthma
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|July 1, 1981
Summary
Atopic asthma patients and healthy individuals respond differently to systemic corticosteroids like prednisone. Local corticosteroid beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol does not alter immune cell populations in either group.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Allergy and Asthma Research
Background:
- Corticosteroids are frequently used in atopic patients, despite increasing infection susceptibility.
- Atopy is linked to lymphocyte abnormalities and heightened risk of intracellular infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if atopic and nonatopic individuals exhibit similar responses to systemic and local corticosteroids.
- To compare the effects of prednisone and beclomethasone dipropionate on leukocyte populations in atopic asthmatics versus controls.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood leukocytes from 15 atopic asthmatics and 10 nonatopic controls were analyzed.
- Measurements included leukocyte and eosinophil counts, T-cell and complement receptor lymphocyte numbers, and lymphocyte proliferation (Con A, PHA).
- Samples were assessed before and after oral prednisone or inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate administration.
Main Results:
- Atopic asthmatics showed higher eosinophil counts and lower lymphocyte proliferation at baseline.
- Prednisone significantly reduced eosinophils, monocytes, and T-cells, and suppressed lymphocyte proliferation.
- Beclomethasone dipropionate had minimal impact on these measured parameters in both groups.
Conclusions:
- Atopic asthma does not involve a defect in corticosteroid-sensitive leukocyte populations.
- Inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate does not alter peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations, unlike oral prednisone.
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