title: Elevated levels of myeloperoxidase, pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in naturally acquired upper respiratory tract infections.
abstract: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are characterised by a neutrophilic mucosal infiltration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the time course of release of the cytokines/chemokines interleukins (IL) IL-1beta, IL-1ra, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, IL-8, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and bradykinin in nasal secretions of patients with a naturally acquired URTI. A total of 117 healthy adult volunteers were recruited for baseline nasal lavages, 39 of whom developed URTI symptoms within 6 months and returned to our centre within 48 h. Lavages were performed daily during the symptomatic period and 3 weeks thereafter, with symptoms no longer present. Compared to baseline, significantly elevated concentrations of total protein, bradykinin, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, IFN-gamma, MPO and sICAM-1 were detected in nasal lavage fluids of symptomatic patients, whereas IL-1ra remained unaltered. All studied variables reached baseline 3 weeks after the URTI. Naturally acquired URTI represent a limited, neutrophilic inflammatory reaction, orchestrated by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Ghent, Belgium. claus.bachert@rug.ac.be
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bachert
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van Kempen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Höpken
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Holtappels
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wagenmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018925:Chemokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D009195:Peroxidase