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Synergistic effects of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol on inhibiting rhinovirus‐induced epithelial production of remodelling‐associated growth factors
Author(s) -
Volonaki E.,
Psarras S.,
Xepapadaki P.,
Psomali D.,
Gourgiotis D.,
Papadopoulos N. G.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2006.02566.x
Subject(s) - fluticasone propionate , rhinovirus , fluticasone , salmeterol , asthma , medicine , vascular endothelial growth factor , respiratory epithelium , in vitro , immunology , epithelium , pharmacology , virus , chemistry , pathology , vegf receptors , biochemistry
Summary Background Rhinoviruses (RV), the major trigger of acute asthma exacerbations, are able to infect bronchial epithelium and induce production of pro‐inflammatory, but also angiogenic and pro‐fibrotic mediators. Fluticasone propionate (FP) and salmeterol (S) are clinically effective and act synergistically in controlling persistent asthma; however, their effect on virus‐associated asthma is less clear. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the individual and combined effects of FP and S on RV‐induced epithelial production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2). Methods Bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B) were exposed in vitro to RV and were subsequently treated with FP and S, at physiologically relevant concentrations, alone or in combination. VEGF and FGF‐2 were measured in the supernatants of these cultures using ELISA. Results FP was able to reduce RV‐induced VEGF production in a dose‐dependent manner. S also induced a smaller reduction; addition of both factors inhibited VEGF synergistically. FGF‐2 production was not inhibited by either FP or S alone, but was significantly reduced when both substances were present in the culture. Conclusion This study demonstrates that FP and S may synergistically inhibit the production of angiogenic and/or pro‐fibrotic factors that are induced after RV infection of BEAS‐2B and are implicated in airway remodelling, suggesting that this combination may represent an important therapeutic option on virus‐induced asthma.