z-logo
open-access-imgOpen Access
Implication of IL‐18 in chronic inflammation of severe refractory asthma
Author(s) -
Roviikoletta,
Dima Efrosini,
Bakakos Petros,
Tseliou Eleni,
Kontogianni Konstantina,
Papiris Spiridon,
Koulouris Nikolaos,
Loukides Stylianos
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
clinical and translational allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.979
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2045-7022
DOI - 10.1186/2045-7022-5-s2-o10
Subject(s) - medicine , sputum , eosinophil , asthma , immunology , inflammation , proinflammatory cytokine , eosinophilic , methacholine , airway , pathophysiology of asthma , lung , respiratory disease , pathology , tuberculosis , surgery
In refractory asthma, where chronic inflammation and airway remodeling are key pathological features, it is suggested that the dysregulation of the Th1/Th2 cytokines production modifies airway inflammation and airway hyperrespnsiveness (AHR).Interleukin (IL)-18, a pleiotropic proinflammatory cytokine, contributes to the pathophysiology of asthma by modulating airway inflammation. Aim of this study was to investigate IL-18 levels in refractory asthma and its relation to eosinophilic airway inflammation and airway remodelling.IL-18 levels were measured in sputum supernatants obtained from patients with mild asthma (21 smokers and 24 non smokers), and patients with refractory asthma (n=18). Eosinophilic airway inflammation was assessed by measuring ECP, eosinophil counts in sputum and AHR to methacholine. Airway remodelling was assessed by measuring IL-13, VEGF and transforming growth factor (TGF)-b1 in induced sputum.Patients with refractory asthma had significantly lower IL-18 levels in sputum compared to smoking and non smoking asthmatics (pu003c0.001). IL-18 levels were correlated to the macrophagesu0027 percentage (r=0.635, p=0.026) and inversely correlated to neutrophilsu0027 percentage in sputum (r=-0.715, p=0.009). Furthermore, IL-18 levels in sputum correlated to FEV1 (% pred) (r=0.760, p=0.004), to FVC (% pred) (r=0.620, p=0.032), and to PD20Mch (r=0.733, p=0.007). No correlations were found between IL-18, ECP, TGF-β1, VEGF levels, and eosinophil counts in the sputum of refractory asthma.These findings suggest that in refractory asthma IL-18 is possibly involved in chronic airway inflammation and airway remodelling through an eosinophil independent pathway.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.
Having issues? You can contact us here