Inflammatory Cytokines and T-Lymphocyte Subsets in Serum and Sputum in Patients with Bronchial Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Background It can be difficult to distinguish between bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinically, although these conditions are associated with different profiles of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells. This study aimed to compare T-lymphocyte subsets and inflammatory cytokines in the serum and sputum of patients with bronchial asthma and COPD who had respiratory function testing. Material/Methods The study included 42 patients with bronchial asthma, 48 patients with COPD, and 45 patients with bronchial asthma complicated with COPD. The percentage predicted values of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), the forced vital capacity (FVC), and the peak expiratory flow (PEF) rate were measured. Serum and sputum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13, IL-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry measured the CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocyte subsets, and the CD4: CD8 ratio was calculated. Results The FEV1, FVC, and PEF were significantly lower in patients with COPD compared with the other two patient groups. Serum and sputum levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-9 and IL-13 were significantly increased in the COPD patient group, and levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly increased in the bronchial asthma patient group. The CD4: CD8 ratio in sputum was lowest in bronchial asthma patient group and highest in COPD patient group. Conclusions The detection of serum and sputum inflammatory cytokines and T-lymphocyte subsets may distinguish between bronchial asthma and COPD.

Unraveling the Interconnection Patterns Across Lung Microbiome, Respiratory Diseases, and COVID-19

“…Surprisingly , Firmicutes with the genus Lactobacillus were isolated in several asthmatic patients ( Park et al., 2014 ) as well as the genus Clostridium in children with airway allergies ( Chiu et al., 2019 ). Serum and sputum inflammatory cytokines may be used as markers between bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ( Bai et al., 2019 ). IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 were shown in increasing levels in COPD, patients while in asthmatic recipients, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were found considerably increased ( Bai et al., 2019 ).…”

“…Serum and sputum inflammatory cytokines may be used as markers between bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ( Bai et al., 2019 ). IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 were shown in increasing levels in COPD, patients while in asthmatic recipients, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were found considerably increased ( Bai et al., 2019 ). Asthma seems also to be related with particular phenotypes ( Kuruvilla et al., 2019 ).…”

An Insight into COPD Morphopathogenesis: Chronic Inflammation, Remodeling, and Antimicrobial Defense

“…During the cell damage, released heat shock protein (Hsp)-70 further induces the release of IL-6 and IL-8 then holding cell and tissue damage and inflammatory processes alongside [15]. The COPD pathogenesis is highly associated with the local appearances and distribution of IL-1 (IL-1α, IL-1β) and IL-33 signalling pathways [16], IL-6, IL-8 [17], IL-4, IL-7 [18,19,20], IL-10 [21], IL-12 [22], and TNF-α [23] that determine chronic, ongoing, and continuous inflammation [24]. Various cytokines have been investigated affecting the immune cell profile in COPD.…”

Hroniskas obstruktīvas plaušu slimības (HOPS) skartu audu morfoloģisks raksturojums. Promocijas darbs

“…Pārējiem HOPS grupas indivīdiem šajās lokalizācijās vai nu neatradām nevienu (0), vai noteicām līdz pat ļoti daudz (++++) IL-7 imūnreaktīvo šūnu (3.46. attēls pielikumā). Lielākajai daļai HOPS pacientu noteicām maz (+), maz līdz vidēji daudz (+/++), vidēji daudz (++) un vidēji daudz līdz daudz (++/+++) IL-7 imūnreaktīvo šūnu bronhu gludajā muskulatūrā (28) un dziedzeros (16).…”