Fractional Analysis of Th2-Type Cytokines in Sequential Samples of Induced Sputum

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of induced sputum in detecting the expression of Th2-type cytokines in asthmatics and have shown that the profile of inflammatory cells in induced sputum differs with time

Effects of Hydrofluoroalkane and Dry Powder-Formulated Corticosteroids on Sputum Inflammatory Markers in Asthmatic Patients

BACKGROUND: Inhaled corticosteroids are powerful drugs that can suppress airway inflammation in asthmatic patients. Deposition of most of the inhaled corticosteroid occurs mainly in the central airways. However, a new hydrofluoroalkane formulation of beclomethasone dipropionate (HFA-BDP) is preferentially deposited in the distal airways. Inflammatory characteristics of induced sputum have been shown to differ in samples collected early after sputum induction compared with later

Quality of bronchial biopsies for morphology study and cell sampling: A comparison of asthmatic and healthy subjects

BACKGROUND: Bronchial biopsies are widely used for histopathological, primary cell culture and genetic studies, but very few reports have evaluated their quality

Toll Like Receptors 4 and 2 Expression in the Bronchial Mucosa of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lung disease characterized by chronic infection with Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Recently, toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 has been shown to be responsible for the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated immune response. While TLR2 mediates responses driven by bacterial lipoproteins and peptidoglycans from Gram-positive bacteria, LPS derived from P aeruginosa may stimulate the immune response in the airways of patients with CF via activation of TLR4

Mucus plugs in the airways of asthmatic subjects and smoking status

Abstract Background Mucus plugs have been described in the airways of asthmatic subjects, particularly those with associated with type 2 inflammation and sputum eosinophilia. In the current study we addressed the question of whether smoking, neutrophilic inflammation and airway dimensions affected the prevalence of mucus plugs. Methods In a cohort of moderate to severe asthmatics (n = 50), including a group of ex-smokers and current smokers, the prevalence of mucus plugs was quantified using a semi-quantitative score based on thoracic computerized tomography. The relationships between mucus score, sputum inflammatory profile and airway architecture were tested according to patient’s smoking status. Results Among the asthmatics (37% former or active smokers), 74% had at least one mucus plug. The median score was 3 and was unrelated to smoking status. A significant but weak correlation was found between mucus score, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC. Mucus score was significantly correlated with sputum eosinophils. Among former and active smokers, mucus score was correlated with sputum neutrophils. Mucus score was positively associated with FeNO in non-smoking subjects. The lumen dimensions of the main and lobar bronchi were significantly inversely correlated with mucus score. Conclusion Airway mucus plugs could define an asthma phenotype with altered airway architecture and can occur in asthmatic subjects with either neutrophilic or eosinophilic sputum according to their smoking status

Increased Expression of the Calcium-Activated Chloride Channel in Hclca1 in Airways of Patients with Obstructive Chronic Bronchitis

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-9 and its effect on enhancing the human calcium-activated chloride channel 1 (hCLCA1) expression have been shown to induce mucin production. Increased expression of hCLCA1 may, in turn, contribute to mucus overproduction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with a chronic bronchitis (CB) phenotype