Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVE: METHODS: Expression of activation markers and chemokine receptors from blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid T cells and the T(H)2 cytokine expression from these T cells and bronchial mucosa biopsy specimens were assessed from subjects with eosinophilic bronchitis, subjects with asthma, and healthy control subjects. RESULTS: The proportion of resting (stimulated) CD4 BAL fluid T cells expressing intracellular IL-4 was significantly higher in the subjects with eosinophilic bronchitis 7.2% (11.4%) and subjects with asthma 5.3% (5.5%) than in healthy control subjects 2.8% (3.9%) (P =.03). The number of IL-4(+) (P <.001) and IL-5(+) (P =.003) cells per square millimeter of bronchial submucosa was significantly higher in the disease groups than in the healthy control subjects. Expression of intracellular IFN-gamma was significantly higher in stimulated blood CD8 T cells from subjects with eosinophilic bronchitis (24%) and asthma (17%) than in the healthy control subjects (5%; P =.003). There were no between-group differences in expression of IFN-gamma in the BAL fluid T cells or in the bronchial submucosa and no differences in expression of activation markers or chemokine receptors. CONCLUSION: These findings support the concept of asthma as a disease associated with activation of T(H)2 lymphocytes in the airway and provide evidence that these cytokines play a role in the development of airway inflammation in eosinophilic bronchitis but suggest that the release of T(H)2 cytokines is not sufficient for the elaboration of disordered airway physiology in asthma.
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Authors | Christopher E Brightling, Fiona A Symon, Surinder S Birring, Peter Bradding, Ian D Pavord, Andrew J Wardlaw |
Journal | The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
(J Allergy Clin Immunol)
Vol. 110
Issue 6
Pg. 899-905
(Dec 2002)
ISSN: 0091-6749 [Print] United States |
PMID | 12464957
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Cytokines
- Interleukin-5
- Interleukin-4
- Interferon-gamma
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Topics |
- Adult
- Asthma
(immunology)
- Bronchi
(metabolism)
- Bronchitis
(immunology)
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
(immunology)
- Cytokines
(biosynthesis)
- Eosinophilia
(immunology)
- Female
- Humans
- Interferon-gamma
(biosynthesis)
- Interleukin-4
(biosynthesis)
- Interleukin-5
(biosynthesis)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- T-Lymphocytes
(metabolism)
- Th2 Cells
(immunology)
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