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Serum chitinase‐like protein YKL‐40 is linked to small airway function in children with asthmatic symptoms
Author(s) -
Knihtilä Hanna,
KotaniemiSyrjänen Anne,
Pelkonen Anna S.,
Savinko Terhi,
Malmberg Leo Pekka,
Mäkelä Mika J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/pai.13119
Subject(s) - medicine , periostin , exhaled nitric oxide , spirometry , asthma , biomarker , bronchodilator , pulmonary function testing , exhaled breath condensate , gastroenterology , immunology , biochemistry , chemistry , extracellular matrix , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Background Lung function impairment among asthmatic children begins in early life, and biomarkers for identifying this impairment are needed. The chitinase‐like protein YKL‐40 has been associated with asthma and lung function in adults, but studies in children have yielded conflicting results. We evaluated the potential of YKL‐40 and other systemic biomarkers for identifying lung function deficits in children with asthmatic symptoms. Methods We determined the levels of serum YKL‐40, periostin, and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) from the blood samples of 49 children with asthmatic symptoms. Lung function was assessed with impulse oscillometry (IOS) and spirometry, combined with an exercise challenge and a bronchodilator test. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide was measured at multiple flow rates. Results Serum levels of YKL‐40 showed significant correlations with most IOS indices at baseline ( P = .008‐.039), but there was no association between YKL‐40 and spirometry parameters. Neither periostin nor hs‐CRP were associated with baseline lung function. Children with a significant response in either the exercise challenge or the bronchodilator test had increased serum levels of YKL‐40 ( P = .003) and periostin ( P = .035). YKL‐40 correlated significantly with the blood neutrophil count ( r s = .397, P = .005) but was not associated with biomarkers of eosinophilic inflammation. Conclusion Serum YKL‐40 is a potential biomarker for lung function deficits in children with asthmatic symptoms. These deficits appear to be focused on small airways and may remain undetected with spirometry.