23Naturally-occurring equine asthma is an inflammatory lung disease characterized by chronic, partially 24 reversible airway obstruction, pulmonary remodeling and lower airway inflammation. The cytokine profiles that 25 2 distinguish asthma groups or subtypes in horses have not been systematically classified, and mast cell 26 phenotypes, which, in human asthma, correlate with asthma type, lung function, and response to therapy, have 27 not been well-described in horses. The purpose of this study was to: (1) compare mast cell protease mRNA 28 expression between healthy and asthmatic horses, (2) analyze the cytokine profile present in BALF of currently 29 defined equine asthma groups, and (3) use these data to evaluate potential biomarkers of defined asthma groups.
30Mast cell protease gene expression and select cytokine gene expression in cells isolated from BALF, and BALF 31 multiplex cytokine assays were performed. Multidimensional analysis demonstrated that IFNγ differentiates 32 severe from moderate asthma, and that TNFα and CXCL8 are key biomarkers of equine asthma subtype.
33Expression of chymase mRNA, a mast cell-specific protease, was significantly decreased in horses with 34 mastocytic asthma. These results will help further define EAS immunopathology, which could improve 35 understanding and definitions of asthma groups, while also potentially identify novel therapeutic strategies. 36 Introduction 37 Equine asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by enhanced bronchial reactivity, 38 and chronic, partially reversible airflow obstruction, pulmonary remodeling, and lower airway inflammation [1]. 39 The most common environmental triggers for asthma development in susceptible horses include pollens, dust, 40 mold, and bacterial components. Equine asthma prevalence in the Northern hemisphere is about 14% and the 41 disease can be frustrating to manage, while also being career or life ending for the horse [2, 3]. Recently it has 42 also been shown that prevalence can change with season [4]. The diagnosis is based on history, physical 43 examination, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology, and lung function tests. Lung function tests are 44 performed less frequently due to cost, required skill for equipment use and data analysis, and availability of the 45 apparatus. History and physical exam findings supporting asthma include clinical signs of lower airway 46 inflammation, such as cough, increased respiratory rate and effort, poor performance/exercise intolerance, and 47 serous, mucoid, or mucopurulent nasal discharge at rest and/or at exercise. A 2016 consensus statement has 48 defined two categories of equine asthma syndrome (EAS), currently designated as mild to moderate asthma 49 (mEAS) and severe asthma (sEAS) [1]. For horses with sEAS, auscultation of the lungs at rest or during 50 3 rebreathing exam can reveal wheezes, crackles, cough, and/or tracheal rattle. Abnormalities upon auscultation 51may not be apparent, but recovery from a rebreathing exam may be prolonged in mEAS o...