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Measuring airway inflammation in asthma: eosinophils and eosinophilic cationic protein in induced sputum compared with peripheral blood.

BACKGROUND: Airway eosinophilic inflammation is a characteristic feature of asthma. This can be assessed directly by measurement of eosinophils and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) in sputum or indirectly by measurement of the same markers in blood. We investigated the performance of these markers of airway eosinophilic inflammation in a population of patients with asthma compared with control subjects and the extent to which the markers differed. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, subject characteristics were documented on day 1 and induced sputum and blood samples were obtained on day 2. Nineteen patients with asthma and 20 control subjects (10 healthy subjects and 10 smokers with nonobstructive bronchitis) were consecutively enrolled in the study. Sputum (selected from saliva) and blood samples were processed by persons blind to the clinical details. Results are presented as median values (minimum-maximum); differences were measured by Mann-Whitney U test. The accuracy of the tests (sensitivity and specificity) was measured by plotting the data in receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves and comparing the areas under the curve for each marker. RESULTS: Patients with asthma in comparison with control subjects had a higher proportion of sputum eosinophils (5.2% [0.2% to 93%] vs 0.3% [0% to 1.7%], p < 0.001), higher numbers of blood eosinophils (350.0 x 10(6)/L [144.0 to 1520.0 x 10(6)/L] vs 155.0 x 10(6)/L [34.0 to 426.0 x 10(6)/L], p = 0.003), and higher levels of ECP in sputum (1040.0 micrograms/L [76.8 to 32,000.0 micrograms/L] vs 455.3 micrograms/L [54.4 to 1280.0 micrograms/L], p = 0.001) but not in serum (25.0 micrograms/L [5.6 to 52.4 micrograms/L] vs 16.5 micrograms/L [3.3 to 36.0 micrograms/L], p = 0.08). Markers of airway inflammation in induced sputum and blood samples were correlated with clinical and physiologic variables. The area under the ROC curve showed that eosinophils in sputum (0.90) are significantly more accurate markers than blood eosinophils (0.72) and serum ECP (0.67) (p = 0.02). Although the area under the ROC curve for sputum ECP was greater than those for blood eosinophils and serum ECP, the differences could have occurred by chance (p > or = 0.1). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the proportion of eosinophils in sputum is a more accurate marker of asthmatic airway inflammation than the proportions of blood eosinophils or serum ECP.

Adult↗

Inflammation in asthma: the cornerstone of the disease and target of therapy.

Asthma is a chronic disease associated with variable levels of airflow obstruction. Considerable evidence has been obtained to show that airway inflammation is a major factor in the pathogenesis of asthma in associated bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and in the level of disease severity. The inflammatory pattern in asthma is multicellular in nature, with mast cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, T lymphocytes, and epithelial cells participating in the response. Furthermore, it is known that mediators, cytokines, and chemokines from these cells contribute to the orchestration of the inflammatory process. Because airway inflammation appears to be a critical etiologic feature of asthma, it has become the target of therapy. In this review the features of airway inflammation will be examined, and the effect of therapeutic agents on markers of airway injury will be discussed. Establishing, understanding, and finally controlling the features of airway inflammation have given insight to disease pathogenesis and the effectiveness of various treatments. The integral role of inhaled corticosteroids in modifying the complex inflammatory component of asthma will be explored, with special focus on the high degree of efficacy associated with this treatment--vis-á-vis other therapeutic agents--in preventing or blocking specific proinflammatory markers.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Apoptosis of eosinophils and lymphocytes in allergic inflammation.

A characteristic feature of apoptosis is that the cellular contents that are biologically active are always surrounded by the cell membrane throughout the entire process. Thus the apoptotic cells are eliminated calmly and quickly without evoking inflammation. In allergic inflammation activated eosinophils and lymphocytes have been known to accumulate at the site of inflammation at least in part because of their prolonged survival. Corticosteroids are the most potent anti-inflammatory agent used for treating asthma. They inhibit the prolonged survival of eosinophils and lymphocytes directly by inducing apoptosis and indirectly by suppressing the release of cytokines supporting their survival. Theophylline, a classical bronchodilator, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. Surprisingly, theophylline inhibited the prolonged survival of eosinophils in the presence of IL-5 in vitro by means of induction of apoptosis. Lymphocytes also undergo apoptosis in the presence of theophylline. One of the mechanisms for theophylline to induce apoptosis in eosinophils and lymphocytes is to elevate intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate because phosphodiesterase inhibitors and adenylate cyclase activators, which increase intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate, can cause apoptosis in those cells. Induction of apoptosis is beneficial in allergic inflammation, and the use of corticosteroids and theophylline in combination may be appropriate to induce apoptosis in eosinophils and lymphocytes.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Decreased expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme in the airway epithelium of asthmatic subjects is associated with eosinophil inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a peptidase involved in the metabolism of several bioactive peptides. It may be involved in the airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness that occur in asthma. OBJECTIVE: We studied the expression of ACE in the airway mucosa of normal and asthmatic subjects and assessed the relationship between ACE expression and airway inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthma. METHODS: We used immunohistochemistry to study the ACE expression and airway inflammation in bronchial biopsy samples obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopy from 20 asthmatic subjects randomly assigned to groups treated with (n = 10) or without inhaled corticosteroids (n = 10) and from normal subjects (n = 10). Airway response to methacholine and bradykinin was also determined for all subjects. RESULTS: In normal subjects ACE was present in the surface epithelium, the endothelial cells of the lamina propria, and the submucosal glands, in which ACE was found in seromucous cells and in secreted mucus. ACE was not detected in smooth muscle cells and in most of the endothelial cells of the vascular network surrounding the glands. ACE was absent or present at lower levels in the surface epithelium of asthmatic subjects not treated with corticosteroids compared with those treated with corticosteroids and the control group. In asthmatic subjects low levels of ACE in the epithelium were associated with larger numbers of eosinophils in the epithelium and lamina propria. There was no relationship between ACE levels in the airway mucosa and airway responsiveness to methacholine and bradykinin. CONCLUSION: ACE expression is decreased in the epithelium of asthmatic patients and is associated with increased eosinophil inflammation.

Asthma↗

Dissociation between prostaglandin and malondialdehyde formation in exudate and increased levels of malondialdehyde in plasma and liver during granulomatous inflammation in the rat.

During kaolin-induced granuloma pouch inflammation in the rat the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the exudate, measured by the 2-thiobarbiturate method, steadily increased and this increase was correlated with the increase in granuloma weight. There was a complete lack of correlation between the concentrations of MDA and prostaglandin (PG)-like material in the inflammatory exudate. Whereas the concentration of PGs reached a maximum 1 day after the induction of inflammation and returned to control levels on day 4, the MDA concentration continuously increased from the initiation of inflammation up to day 16. During granuloma development the concentration of MDA in the plasma reached a maximum on day 2 in parallel with the concentration in the liver, then both plasma and liver MDA decreased to levels observed in control rats. Between day 2 and 8 of the inflammatory process homogenates of livers from inflamed rats showed an increased formation of MDA on incubation, the amount formed being maximal on day 4. The results of the present study are discussed in view of a possible involvement of lipid peroxidation in inflammation.

Animals↗

Cytokines and chemoattractants in allergic inflammation.

It is now generally accepted type 2 T helper (Th2) cytokines and some chemoattractants play an essential role in the pathogenesis of the allergic inflammation. The effects of Th2 cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13, account for virtually all the pathophysiological manifestations of allergy and asthma. Moreover, both Th2 cells and the effector cells usually present in the areas of allergic inflammation (basophils, mast cells, and eosinophils) express chemoattractant receptors, such as CCR3, CCR4, CCR8 and CRTH2. Therefore, interactions of eotaxin(s), eotaxin/CCL11, RANTES/CCL5, and MCP-1/CCL2, MCP-2/CCL8, MCP-3/CCL7, MCP-4/CCL13 with CCR3 are responsible for the recruitment of basophils, eosinophils and mast cells, whereas interactions of CCR4 with MDC/CCL22 or TARC/CCL17, CCR8 with I-309/CCL1, and CRTH2 with prostaglandin D(2) play a critical role in the allergen-induced recruitment of Th2 cells in the target tissues of allergic inflammation. The demonstration that Th2-polarized responses against allergens represent the triggering event for the development of allergic diseases, together with the recognition that some chemoattractants are responsible for the recruitment of both Th2 cells and other effector cells of allergic inflammation, can provide the conceptual basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies in allergic conditions.

Animals↗

Neurogenic inflammation and particulate matter (PM) air pollutants.

Exposure to a class of airborne pollutants known as particulate matter (PM) is an environmental health risk of global proportions. PM is thought to initiate and/or exacerbate respiratory disorders, such as asthma and airway hyper-responsiveness and is epidemiologically associated with causing death in the elderly and those with pre-existing respiratory, or cardiopulmonary disease. Plausible mechanisms of action to explain PM inflammation and its susceptible sub-population component are lacking. This review describes a series of published studies which indicate that PM initiates airway inflammation through sensory neural pathways, specifically by activation of capsaicin-sensitive vanilloid (e.g. VRI) irritant receptors. These acid-sensitive receptors are located on the sensory C nerve fibers that innervate the airways as well as on various immune and non-immune airway target cells. The activation of these receptors results in the release of neuropeptides from the sensory terminals that innervate the airways. Their interactions with airway target cells, result in signs of inflammation (e.g. bronchoconstriction, vasodilation, histamine release, mucous secretion etc.). Our data have linked the activation of the VR1 receptors to the surface charge carried on the colloidal particulates which constitute PM pollution. Related studies have examined how genetic and non-genetic factors modify the sensitivity of these irritant receptors and enhance the inflammatory responsiveness to PM. In summary, this review proposes a mechanism by which neurogenic elements initiate and sustain PM-mediated airway inflammation. Although neurogenic influences have been appreciated in normal airway homeostasis, they have not, until now, been associated with PM toxicity. The sensitivity of the sensory nervous system to irritants and its interactions with pulmonary target tissues, should encourage neuroscientists to explore the relevance of neurogenic influences to toxic disorders involving other peripheral target systems.

Air Pollutants↗

Changes in concentrations of serum amyloid A protein, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, and C-reactive protein in feline sera due to induced inflammation and surgery.

To identify candidates for feline acute phase proteins, the concentrations of serum amyloid A protein (SAA), alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AG), C-reactive protein (CRP), and haptoglobin (Hp) were measured in sera isolated from clinically normal and hospitalized (or diseased) cats, from cats with experimentally induced inflammation, and cats subjected to surgery for urinary diversion. Measurements were made by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and single radial immunodiffusion. The concentrations of SAA, alpha 1-AG, and Hp in sera from hospitalized cats were 7-11 times higher than in clinically normal cats. Similar results were obtained for the concentrations of SAA, alpha 1-AG, and Hp in cats with induced inflammation and cats subjected to surgery. By contrast, the serum concentration of feline CRP did not change significantly between clinically normal cats and hospitalized cats or inflammation-induced or post-surgery cats. Feline SAA concentration was found to increase earliest, with alpha 1-AG and Hp beginning to increase thereafter. From these results, feline SAA is concluded to be an acute phase reactant at the early stage of inflammation.

Animals↗

Effect of streptozotocin-diabetes on knee joint inflammation-induced changes in substance P and nerve growth factor in the rat.

Given the involvement of the sensory nervous system in the aetiology of neurogenic inflammation, we have investigated the effect of experimental diabetes and any associated sensory nerve dysfunction on the development of complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammation in the rat knee. Twenty-four hours after induction of inflammation in non-diabetic rats, gamma-preprotachykinin mRNA expression was increased in the L4/L5 dorsal root ganglia. Substance P levels were increased in dorsal root ganglia and sciatic nerve whilst synovial levels of substance P were significantly decreased. Nerve growth factor, which regulates expression of gamma-preprotachykinin mRNA, was significantly increased in synovium and sciatic nerve after induction of inflammation. After 24 weeks of streptozotocin-diabetes, there was a non-significant reduction in gamma-preprotachykinin mRNA expression whilst substance P levels in dorsal root ganglia, sciatic nerve and synovium and nerve growth factor levels in the sciatic nerve were significantly decreased. Conversely, synovial levels of nerve growth factor were significantly increased. Injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the knee of diabetic rats produced diminished joint swelling compared to that observed in non-diabetic rats. Substance P levels were unaltered compared to non-arthritic diabetic rats whilst nerve growth factor levels were significantly increased in synovium and sciatic nerve suggesting an uncoupling of substance P from nerve growth factor control in the inflammatory response in diabetic rats. The results show a significant reduction in the inflammatory response in rats with chronic streptozotocin-diabetes. Deficits in gamma-preprotachykinin mRNA expression and substance P and the altered levels of nerve growth factor indicate sensory neuronal dysfunction may play a major role in this abnormal response.

Animals↗

Predominant role of NF-kappa B p65 in the pathogenesis of chronic intestinal inflammation.

NF-kappa B is a key transcription factor of lymphocytes and macrophages with important regulatory functions in the immune system and inflammatory processes. These functions are at least partially based on its ability to regulate the promoters of a variety of genes whose products, such as cytokines, adhesion molecules and acute phase proteins, are critical for inflammatory processes. In the present study, we describe a method to treat established intestinal inflammation by local or systemic application of antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides targeting the translation start site of the p65 subunit of NF-kappa B. Specific downregulation of p65 by administration of antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides to mice with experimental colitis abrogated clinical and histological signs of mucosal inflammation. In contrast, control nonsense oligonucleotides were virtually inactive. Whereas systemic application of high doses (> 1500 micrograms) of p65 antisense oligonucleotides had striking toxic side effects, local application at all dosages tested did not result in toxic effects. The data provide direct evidence for the central importance of NF-kappa B p65 in experimental models of chronic intestinal inflammation and suggest the potential therapeutic utility of local p65 antisense treatment for patients with chronic intestinal inflammation.

Animals↗

Neuropeptide FF in the rat spinal cord during carrageenan inflammation.

The role of neuropeptide FF (NPFF) in the modulation of spinal nociception was studied in rats with carrageenan inflammation in the hind paw. Normally no NPFF-ir neuronal cell bodies are found in the spinal cord. During inflammation NPFF-neurons were seen in an area receiving innervation from the inflamed hind limb, but in rats pretreated with morphine no NPFF-ir neurons were found. NPFF or IgG from NPFF immunoserum administered intrathecally had no effect in thermal and mechanical nociceptive tests. Morphine produced significant antinociception in both tests in the inflamed paw, but the effect was not modified by NPFF. These findings differ from the effects of intrathecal administration of NPFF and opioids in acute thermal tests when no inflammation is present. The role of NPFF in the modulation of nociception in the spinal cord may be markedly changed during acute inflammation.

Animals↗

Inflammation and Alzheimer's disease.

Inflammation clearly occurs in pathologically vulnerable regions of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain, and it does so with the full complexity of local peripheral inflammatory responses. In the periphery, degenerating tissue and the deposition of highly insoluble abnormal materials are classical stimulants of inflammation. Likewise, in the AD brain damaged neurons and neurites and highly insoluble amyloid beta peptide deposits and neurofibrillary tangles provide obvious stimuli for inflammation. Because these stimuli are discrete, microlocalized, and present from early preclinical to terminal stages of AD, local upregulation of complement, cytokines, acute phase reactants, and other inflammatory mediators is also discrete, microlocalized, and chronic. Cumulated over many years, direct and bystander damage from AD inflammatory mechanisms is likely to significantly exacerbate the very pathogenic processes that gave rise to it. Thus, animal models and clinical studies, although still in their infancy, strongly suggest that AD inflammation significantly contributes to AD pathogenesis. By better understanding AD inflammatory and immunoregulatory processes, it should be possible to develop anti-inflammatory approaches that may not cure AD but will likely help slow the progression or delay the onset of this devastating disorder.

Alzheimer Disease↗

In vivo demonstration of endogenous substances regulating the regression of the acute inflammation.

Subcutaneous injection of Sephadex G 200 causes an acute inflammation in rats. Its course was estimated by the types and numbers of white cells which immigrated into the Sephadex implants during a period of 5 days. Adrenaline (ADR) as well as Isoproterenol (ISO) each alter the cell immigration in a characteristic pattern. Sephadex which has already induced inflammation in an animal causes a mitigated inflammatory process when transplanted to another animal. Sephadex originating from donor animals influenced by ADR or ISO causes different reactions. A comparison of the results of the original inflammatory response and of the transplantation experiments demonstrates that several distinct substances with apparently specific functions must participate in the regression of the acute inflammation. The process by which the acute inflammation subsides is controlled by the organism's endogenous antiinflammatory substances.

Acute Disease↗

Effects of Mycobacterium bovis BCG on the development of allergic inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in hyper-IgE BP2 mice vaccinated as newborns.

Asthma may result from excessive Th-2 response in children not previously exposed to Th-1-inducing infections. We tested the hypothesis that BCG vaccination in Th-2-susceptible newborn BP2 mice blocks allergic inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR). Ten day-old BP2 mice received 10(5) CFU of BCG 1173P2 intranasally (IN), and 6, 10 or 14 weeks thereafter were sensitized with 100 microg ovalbumin (OVA) in aluminium hydroxide twice subcutaneously (SC) at 1 week interval, and challenged 1 week after the second sensitization with 10 microg OVA IN. Compared to OVA-challenged unvaccinated mice, those that received BCG 8 weeks before challenge developed intense bronchial inflammation, BHR, and high IgE titers. Inflammation involved T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells and was accompanied by increased levels of Interleukin-5 (IL-5) in the bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL). However, animals challenged 16 weeks after BCG vaccination did not develop BHR nor bronchial hypereosinophilia, and showed reduced IgE levels. Bronchial infiltration by immunocompetent cells was also significantly reduced. Increased levels of gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) after in vitro stimulation of tracheo-bronchial lymph node cells accompanied this blockage, but levels of IL-5 remained high. We demonstrate that 16 weeks after vaccination with BCG in newborn BP2 mice which have a high Th-2 background, allergic inflammation and BHR were blocked, even though a clear Th-1 shift was not achieved.

Animals↗

Inflammation induced increase of fluoride resistant acid phosphatase (FRAP) activity in the spinal dorsal horn in rats.

Fluoride-resistant acid phosphatase (FRAP) has been suggested as an enzymatic marker for nociceptive primary afferent terminals in the spinal dorsal horn, however there has not been demonstrated a direct functional relation between FRAP activity and an increased nociceptive transmission. For this purpose, we quantitated FRAP activity in the spinal dorsal horn of the rat in a heat-induced cutaneous inflammatory model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats anaesthetised with thiopental were separated in two groups where the left hindpaw was submerged during 60 s either in water at room temperature (control group) or in water at 60 degrees C (inflammation group) which induce in this group a progressive hindpaw inflammation. After 8 h, the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord was extracted, cut in slices and 1 mm micropunch fragments were obtained from the right and left dorsal horn. The activity of FRAP was determined using the Gomori colorimetric method and corrected by the protein concentrations. FRAP activity in the left dorsal horn was statistically higher than right dorsal horn in the inflammation group (3.05+/-0.54 versus 1.91+/-0.23 u/g per l; P<0.05). Also, FRAP activity from the left dorsal horn of the control and inflammation groups show a significant increase in the last group (3.05+/-0.54 versus 2.17+/-0.23 u/g per l; P<0.05). This results demonstrate that FRAP is not only an enzymatic marker for neuronal and fibre integrity of nociceptive primary afferents but also it is associated to the nociceptive afferent activation.

Acid Phosphatase↗

The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide, but not the CB2 ligand palmitoylethanolamide, prevents the viscero-visceral hyper-reflexia associated with inflammation of the rat urinary bladder.

Anandamide, an endogenous ligand at the CB1 cannabinoid receptor and palmitoylethanolamide (a putative endogenous ligand at the CB2 receptor) have both been shown to possess anti-hyperalgesic properties in models of somatic and visceral inflammation. In the turpentine-inflamed rat urinary bladder a reversal of the inflammation-associated viscero-visceral hyperreflexia (VVH) was observed when the cannabinoids were administered 135 min after the induction of inflammation. Therefore, in this study we determined the efficacy of these two N-acylethanolamides in the prevention of VVH in the same model, using a prophylactic dosing regimen. Palmitoylethanolamide did not prevent the VVH (in the dose range 10-30 mg/kg, i.a), but anandamide attenuated the response in a dose related manner, with a threshold of 25 mg/kg (i.a). These findings provide further support for an acute anti-nociceptive and anti-hyperalgesic role for CB1 receptor agonists, with CB2 agonist effects only becoming important once the effects of inflammation are established.

Amides↗

Increased spinal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor function after 20 h of carrageenan-induced inflammation.

Spinal N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are thought to be important in states of central hyperexcitability induced by e.g. inflammation or painful neuropathies. The carrageenan model of inflammatory pain has been and still is widely used as is the NMDA receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5) to investigate NMDA receptor function. Here we present two novel findings using electrophysiological technique: the NMDA receptor function in the spinal cord is increased following 20 h of carrageenan-induced inflammation and further that only the D-isomer of AP5 is active in the spinal cord. Exogenous NMDA (0.5 and 5 nmol) applied onto the dorsal spinal cord produced a significantly greater facilitation and D-AP5 (1.25 micromol) a significantly greater inhibition of the C-fibre evoked response of the wide dynamic range (WDR) neurones studied in carrageenan (20 h after injection) compared to control rats. The present and two recent studies suggest central changes are different and possibly greater in the later (20 h) compared to the earlier (2-6 h) phase of carrageenan-induced inflammation. In conclusion, 20 h of carrageenan-induced inflammation increases the function of spinal NMDA receptor involved in nociceptive transmission and in addition the D-isomer of AP5 should be used when NMDA receptor antagonism is wanted in the spinal cord.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

Anti-hyperalgesic and anti-allodynic effects of intrathecal nociceptin/orphanin FQ in rats after spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve injury and inflammation.

We examined the effects of intrathecal nociceptin, the endogenous ligand for the orphan opioid receptor-like receptor, on abnormal pain-related behaviors in rats after carrageenan-induced inflammation and photochemically-induced peripheral nerve or spinal cord ischemic injury. Intrathecal nociceptin dose-dependently alleviated mechanical and cold allodynia-like behavior in the two models of neuropathic pain. The heat hyperalgesia associated with peripheral inflammation was also significantly reduced, although the efficacy of the antihyperalgesic effect of nociceptin in the inflammation model was decreased. Intrathecal nociceptin also induced significant antinociception on the tail-flick test in all three groups of rats. However, the antinociceptive effect of nociceptin was significantly reduced in rats with peripheral nerve injury. These results indicated that spinally administered nociceptin has anti-allodynic and anti-hyperalgesic effects in animal models of tonic or chronic pain of different origins. Peripheral inflammation and nerve injury may induce spinal plasticity which leads to altered potency and efficacy of nociceptin.

Analgesics↗