Sputum levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 in asthma: relation to clinical and computed tomography findings.
J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol
; 18(3): 202-6, 2008.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18564632
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 is considered to play central roles in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling in asthma. This notion is based primarily on the results of experimental studies; clinical evidence is limited.OBJECTIVES:
To ascertain the involvement of TGF-beta1 in asthma.METHODS:
We studied 27 patients with moderate-to-severe, but stable, asthma treated with inhaled corticosteroids and 8 healthy controls. Helical computed tomography scans were acquired at full inspiration. Airway wall thickness (WT) was assessed on the basis of wall area corrected for body surface area (WA/BSA) and absolute WT corrected for BSA (WT/square root of BSA) according to a validated method. Induced sputum concentrations of TGF-beta1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pulmonary function was evaluated.RESULTS:
Indices of expiratory airflow were significantly lower in the asthmatic patients than in the controls. WA/BSA, WT/square root of square root of BSA, and sputum concentrations of TGF-beta1 were significantly higher in the asthmatic patients. Sputum TGF-beta1 concentrations correlated positively with WA/BSA and WT/square root of BSA and negatively with forced expiratory volume in 1 second in both asthmatic and control subjects.CONCLUSIONS:
Levels of TGF-beta1 in induced sputum are elevated in asthmatic patients despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and are associated with airflow obstruction and airway wall thickening. TGF-beta1 is involved in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling and resultant functional impairment and it may be a target for specific medical treatment.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Asthma
/
Sputum
/
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
/
Transforming Growth Factor beta1
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol
Year:
2008
Document type:
Article