title: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in platelets and airflow limitation in asthma.
abstract: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key mediator of neuronal plasticity, contributes to airway obstruction and hyperresponsiveness in a model of allergic asthma. BDNF is stored in human platelets and circulates in human plasma, but the significance of BDNF in this compartment is poorly understood. We investigated the relationship between platelet and plasma BDNF levels and pulmonary function in a cohort of 26 adult patients with recently diagnosed allergic asthma. BDNF levels in serum, platelets, and plasma were significantly increased in participants with asthma, as compared with 26 age- and sex-matched control subjects. In steroid-naive patients, but not in patients using inhaled corticosteroids, enhanced platelet BDNF levels correlated with parameters of airway obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine. Experiments with activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed that corticosteroids such as fluticasone effectively suppress BDNF secretion. In conclusion, we demonstrate that enhanced platelet BDNF is associated with airflow limitation and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. In addition, we provide evidence that corticosteroids suppress BDNF production by activated immune cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology and Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany. marek.lommatzsch@med.uni-rostock.de
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lommatzsch
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schloetcke
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klotz
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schuhbaeck
authors.forename: Doerte
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zingler
authors.forename: Christiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zingler
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schulte-Herbrüggen
authors.forename: Hartmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schuff-Werner
authors.forename: Johann Christian
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Virchow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D010949:Plasma / Q000378:metabolism; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D005938:Glucocorticoids