sVCAM-1 levels after segmental antigen challenge correlate with eosinophil influx, IL-4 and IL-5 production, and the late phase response.
Evidence from in vitro studies suggests a potential role for vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in eosinophil trafficking. We hypothesized that induction of VCAM-1 occurs in the lung during IgE-mediated airway inflammation in humans. The technique of segmental antigen provocation followed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) at 24 h was used to study 27 ragweed-allergic asthmatics (AA) and 18 atopic nonasthmatics (ANA). Total and differential cell counts were performed, and IL-4, IL-5, and soluble (VCAM) (sVCAM) levels in concentrated BAL fluid were measured by ELISA. A large increase in sVCAM levels after segmental challenge in both AA and ANA (1.79 +/- 0.31 to 139.39 +/- 68.58 ng/ml, p < 0.0005 and 2.85 +/- 0.80 to 98.25 +/- 77.35 ng/ml, p < 0.05, respectively) was observed. BAL IL-4 and IL-5 also increased after challenge (IL-4: 51.7 +/- 17.72 to 150.1 +/- 58.82 pg/ml, 0.05 < p < 0.10, n = 20 for AA, and 36.6 +/- 9.05 to 116.8 +/- 51.5 pg/ml, 0.05 < p < 0.10, n = 15 for ANA; IL-5: 0 to 2.67 +/- 1.62 ng/ml, p < 0.01, n = 16 for AA, and 0 to 2.87 +/- 2.16 ng/ml, 0.05 < p < 0.10, n = 10 for ANA). In both groups, the majority of the increase in sVCAM, IL-4, and IL-5 was accounted for by subjects who displayed a dual phase response after whole-lung antigen inhalation. This fact, plus the strong correlation observed between postchallenge sVCAM, IL-4, and IL-5 levels and eosinophil influx, suggests that VCAM, IL-4, and IL-5 play important roles in the recruitment of eosinophils to the lung of humans after antigen challenge.
Zangrilli
J G
JG
Department of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-5083, USA.
Shaver
J R
JR
Cirelli
R A
RA
Cho
S K
SK
Garlisi
C G
CG
Falcone
A
A
Cuss
F M
FM
Fish
J E
JE
Peters
S P
SP
D000328:Adult; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002452:Cell Count; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
D000941:Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D015848:Interleukin-5; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D015847:Interleukin-4