Open AccessNasal airway epithelial cell IL-6 and FKBP51 gene expression and steroid sensitivity in asthmatic children
Author(s) -
Michaël Fayon,
Aurelie Lacoste-Rodrigues,
Pascal Barat,
JeanChristophe Helbling,
Fabienne Nacka,
Patrick Berger,
MariePierre Moisan,
Jean-Benoı̂t Corcuff
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0177051
Subject(s) - fluticasone , asthma , dexamethasone , downregulation and upregulation , medicine , immunology , methacholine , endocrinology , corticosteroid , fluticasone propionate , ipratropium bromide , biology , respiratory disease , lung , gene , bronchodilator , biochemistry
Background Many asthmatic patients exhibit uncontrolled asthma despite high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Airway epithelial cells (AEC) have distinct activation profiles that can influence ICS response. Objectives A pilot study to identify gene expression markers of AEC dysfunction and markers of corticosteroid sensitivity in asthmatic and non-asthmatic control children, for comparison with published reports in adults. Methods AEC were obtained by nasal brushings and primary submerged cultures, and incubated in control conditions or in the presence of 10 ng/ml TNFalpha, 10 -8 M dexamethasone, or both. RT-PCR-based expression of FKBP51 (a steroid hormone receptor signalling regulator), NF-kB, IL-6, LIF (an IL-6 family neurotrophic cytokine), serpinB2 (which inhibits plasminogen activation and promotes fibrin deposition) and porin (a marker of mitochondrial mass) were determined. Results 6 patients without asthma (median age 11yr; min-max: 7–13), 8 with controlled asthma (11yr, 7–13; median daily fluticasone dose = 100 μg), and 4 with uncontrolled asthma (12yr, 7–14; 1000 μg fluticasone daily) were included. Baseline expression of LIF mRNA was significantly increased in uncontrolled vs controlled asthmatic children. TNFalpha significantly increased LIF expression in uncontrolled asthma. A similar trend was observed regarding IL-6. Dexamethasone significantly upregulated FKBP51 expression in all groups but the response was blunted in asthmatic children. No significant upregulation was identified regarding NF-kB, serpinB2 and porin. Conclusion LIF and FKBP51 expression in epithelial cells were the most interesting markers of AEC dysfunction/response to corticosteroid treatment.