Type III IFN-lambda mRNA expression in sputum of adult and school-aged asthmatics.
Clin Exp Allergy
; 38(9): 1459-67, 2008 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18564328
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The increased susceptibility of asthmatics to rhinovirus infection has recently been related to deficient IFN-lambda 1 (IL-29) and IFN-lambda 2/3 (IL-28) production by bronchial epithelial cells and macrophages.OBJECTIVES:
Here, we studied IFN-lambda mRNA expression in the airways of stable asthmatics in comparison with healthy subjects and in relation to asthma symptoms, non-invasive parameters of airway inflammation and lung function parameters.METHODS:
Airway cells were obtained by sputum induction, in 14 healthy and 35 asthmatic adults and 12 asthmatic school-aged children. IFN-lambda was studied at the mRNA level by quantitative RT-PCR.RESULTS:
Asthmatic adults have increased sputum IL-28 mRNA but similar IL-29 mRNA expression in comparison with healthy subjects. In asthmatics, both sputum IL-28 and IL-29 mRNA expression correlate with the sputum CD3 gamma mRNA expression (reflecting infiltrated T cells). IL-28 (but not IL-29) mRNA levels correlate with the relative and absolute number of eosinophils present in the sputum sample. Sputum IL-29 mRNA (but not IL-28) correlates negatively with asthma symptoms in steroid-naive patients and is significantly higher in steroid-treated than in steroid-naive patients. Finally, both IL-28 and IL-29 mRNA levels are higher in asthmatic children than in asthmatic adults.CONCLUSION:
Our results show that asthmatic subjects have substantial type III IFN-lambda mRNA levels in the airways. Our data furthermore suggest that IL-29 could have an immunoprotective role in the lower airways.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Asthma
/
Sputum
/
RNA, Messenger
/
Interleukins
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Clin Exp Allergy
Year:
2008
Document type:
Article