Evaluation of Soluble CD48 Levels in Patients with Allergic and Nonallergic Asthma in Relation to Markers of Type 2 and Non-Type 2 Immunity: An Observational Study

Abstract

CD48 is a costimulatory receptor associated with human asthma. We aimed to assess the significance of the soluble form of CD48 (sCD48) in allergic and nonallergic asthma. Volunteer patients completed an asthma and allergy questionnaire, spirometry, methacholine challenge test, a common allergen skin prick test, and a complete blood count. sCD48, IgE, IL5, IL17A, IL33, and IFNγ were quantitated in serum by ELISA. Asthma was defined as positive methacholine challenge test or a 15% increase in FEV1 post bronchodilator in symptomatic individuals. Allergy was defined as positive skin test or IgE levels > 200 IU/l in symptomatic individuals. 137 individuals participated in the study: 82 (60%) were diagnosed with asthma of which 53 (64%) was allergic asthma. sCD48 levels were significantly elevated in patients with nonallergic asthma compared to control and to the allergic asthma cohort (median (IQR) pg/ml, 1487 (1338–1758) vs. 1308 (1070–1581), p < 0.01, and 1336 (1129–1591), p = 0.02, respectively). IL17A, IL33, and IFNγ levels were significantly elevated in allergic and nonallergic asthmatics when compared to control. No correlation was found between sCD48 level and other disease markers. sCD48 is elevated in nonallergic asthma. Additional studies are required for understanding the role of sCD48 in airway disease.

COVID-19 patients have increased levels of membrane-associated and soluble CD48

“…However, we concluded that the decrease in sCD48 was due to asthma severity rather than to a direct effect of the drug (Gangwar & Levi-Schaffer, 2016). Importantly, CD48 increase in asthma was neither correlated with Th2 inflammation biomarkers such as IL-33, IL-5, IgE, and eosinophils numbers, nor with tobacco smoking or BMI (Breuer et al, 2018).…”

CD48 Expression on Eosinophils in Nasal Polyps of Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients

“…Moreover, sCD48 is significantly elevated in patients with mild asthma as compared to controls and decreased in severe asthma [21]. Notably, sCD48 levels were further found to be elevated significantly in the serum of patients with nonallergic asthma [13].…”

“…Cell suspension was stained with anti-CD48 mAb (BD Pharmingen) or an irrelevant isotype-matched control mAb (DakoCytomation) (1 µg/mL) or with anti-2B4 (PP35, eBioscience, San Diego, CA, USA) or irrelevant isotype-matched control Ab (1-5 µg/mL). Eosinophils in the cell suspension were identified with Kimura's staining and as CCR3+, SSC high cells using a flow cytometer (BD Biosciences FACSCalibur and CellQuest software) as previously described [13].…”

“…When looking at the mechanism of action of the new generation biological drugs in CRSwNPs, it is seen that infiltration, activation, and mediator release of eosinophils, mast cells, and basophils are important in the formation of NPs [12]. There is accumulating evidence for a role of CD48 in allergic inflammation, especially in asthma, as expressed both on eosinophils and mast cells [13][14][15].…”

Latest Progresses in Allergic Diseases Biomarkers: Asthma and Atopic Dermatitis

“…The levels of CD48 soluble form, sCD48, were higher in the serum of mild asthmatic patients and reduced in moderate and severe asthma ( Gangwar et al, 2017 ). Interestingly, sCD48 levels in asthmatic patients did not correlate with Th2 inflammation markers, and this prompted the hypothesis that its expression might be linked to a broader role in inflammatory processes rather than specific AI ( Breuer et al, 2018 ). Therefore, CD48 might be a good candidate as a biomarker for different degrees of asthma severity.…”