title: [Role of the TNF system in the pathomechanism of bronchial asthma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The activation of the TNF system during asthmatic attack has already been proved.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to reveal the role of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) system in the pathomechanism of bronchial asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Childhood asthmatic lately symptom-free adults (n:39) and their non-asthmatic offspring were examined (n:42). According to the methacholin airway challenge test, patients were divided into bronchial hyperreactive (n:44) and non-hyperreactive (n:37) groups. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and its soluble receptors 55 (sTNF-R1) and 75 kDa (sTNF-R2) were measured by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the hyperreactive patients (n:44) significantly higher TNF-alpha (mean +/- SD: 5.13 +/- 1.37 vs. 3.91 +/- 0.61 pg/ml, p < 0.0001), sTNF-R1 (mean +/- SD: 1.37 +/- 0.28 vs. 1.16 +/- 0.13 ng/ml, p = 0.0002) and sTNF-R2 (mean +/- SD: 0.78 +/- 0.42 vs. 0.43 +/- 0.41 ng/ml, p < 0.0001) values were measured compared to the non-hyperreactives (n:37). In hyperreactive patients there was a significant correlation between the cytokine and cytokine receptor levels (TNF-alpha-sTNF-R1 p = 0.0184, r = 0.3541; TNF-alpha-sTNF-R2 p < 0.0001, r = 0.6468). Significant negative correlation was detected between the serum TNF-alpha and sTNF-R2 concentrations and PD20 FEV1 methacholin (dose of methacholin resulting in a 20% reduction of forced exspiratory volume in 1 second) in hyperreactive patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our results the activation of the TNF system may contribute to the bronchial hyperreactivity. It can be observed in asthmatic patients having been symptom-free for years and in their non-asthmatic offspring as well. These results refer to the presence of a minimal allergic inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Egyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, I. sz. Gyermekklinika, Svábhegyi Gyermekgyógyintézet, Budapest.
authors.forename: Adrien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Halász
authors.forename: Endre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cserháti
authors.forename: Károly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cseh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha