IL-17 mRNA in Sputum of Asthmatic Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Dominique MA Bullens, Els Truyen, Liesbeth Coteur, Ellen Dilissen, Peter W Hellings, Lieven J Dupont, Jan L Ceuppens
Primary Institution: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Hypothesis
To study the production of IL-17 in asthmatic airways at the mRNA level, and to correlate this with IL-8 mRNA, neutrophilic inflammation and asthma severity.
Conclusion
The data suggest that Th17 cell infiltration in asthmatic airways links T cell activity with neutrophilic inflammation in asthma.
Supporting Evidence
- Sputum IL-17A and IL-8 mRNA levels are significantly elevated in asthma patients compared to healthy controls.
- IL-17 mRNA levels are significantly correlated with CD3γ mRNA levels in asthmatic patients.
- High sputum IL-8 and IL-17A mRNA levels were found in moderate-to-severe asthmatics on inhaled steroid treatment.
Takeaway
This study found that a specific type of immune cell, called Th17 cells, is involved in asthma by causing inflammation and attracting other immune cells to the airways.
Methodology
Airway cells were obtained by sputum induction from healthy individuals and asthmatic patients, and mRNA expression was quantified by real-time RT-PCR.
Limitations
The study could not exclude the confounding variable of inhaled corticosteroid use, which could independently contribute to neutrophil influx.
Participant Demographics
39 asthmatic subjects (16 women, 23 men) and 15 healthy controls (8 women, 7 men) aged 18 to 65.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.0006 for IL-17A, p = 0.0009 for IL-8
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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