Circulating adhesion molecules in allergic and non-allergic asthma

• Circulating forms of adhesion molecules (intercellular-adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin ) are related to the turnover of these molecules on the cell surface. In contrast to the other molecules, the levels of E-selectin probably exclusively reflect the activity of endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to compare levels of circulating adhesion molecules in patients with allergic (AA) and non-allergic asthma (NA) and to relate the levels of soluble adhesion molecules to methacholine responsiveness and lung function. The study comprised 19 patients with AA, 15 patients with NA and 17 healthy subjects. Soluble adhesion molecules, spirometry, methacholine responsiveness and peak flow variability was measured. The group of patients with AA had higher levels of sE-selectin than the reference group (P=0.046). Serum levels of sE-selectin correlated significantly with bronchial responsiveness (r=0.76) and peak flow variability (r=0.75) (P<0.01) in the NA but not in the AA group. All adhesion molecules in AA (P<0.05-<0.001), but only sE-selectin in NA (P<0.05), were correlated to airway conductance. sVCAM-1 was reduced by inhaled steroids (P<0.01). Our results indicate that endothelial cells are activated in asthma and that this activity has a bearing on airflow variability and bronchial responsiveness in NA.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Lungmedicin och allergi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Respiratory Medicine and Allergy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Asthma; Adhesion molecules; Bronchial responsiveness; Allergy

Adult

Asthma/*blood/physiopathology

Bronchial Hyperreactivity/blood

Bronchial Provocation Tests

Bronchoconstrictor Agents/diagnostic use

Cell Adhesion Molecules/*blood

E-Selectin/blood

Female

Forced Expiratory Volume

Humans

Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/blood

Male

Methacholine Chloride/diagnostic use

Middle Aged

Research Support; Non-U.S. Gov't

Respiratory Hypersensitivity/blood/physiopathology

Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/blood

Vital Capacity

Lung diseases

Lungsjukdomar

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)