title: Effects of allergen inhalation and oral glucocorticoid on serum soluble CTLA-4 in allergic asthmatics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The serum soluble cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (sCTLA-4) concentration is significantly elevated in patients with asthma, and sCTLA-4 concentration correlate with the severity of asthma. The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of allergen inhalation and oral glucocorticoid on concentration of serum sCTLA-4 in patients with allergic asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Allergen inhalation challenge was conducted in allergic asthmatics with isolated early asthma response and those with dual asthma response. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group fashion, prednisolone or placebo was give orally once a day for 2 weeks. Venous blood samples were collected before and after allergen inhalation or prednisolone administration for obtaining sera. The serum sCTLA-4 concentrations were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum sCTLA-4 concentrations in the dual responder group increased from 29.0 (14.5-43.7) microg/l [median (25-75 percentiles)] before allergen inhalation to 44.0 (24.3-61.3) microg/l 24 h after allergen inhalation. In the isolated early responders, there were no significant increase in serum sCTLA-4 concentrations after allergen inhalation compared with baseline levels. There was a significant decrease in serum sCTLA-4 concentrations after 2 weeks of glucocorticoid therapy [22.0 (15.5-31.0) microg/l] compared with baseline values [37.0 (19.5-53.0) microg/l], whereas there was no significant difference in the placebo group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has demonstrated that serum sCTLA-4 concentrations increased after allergen inhalation in sensitized asthmatic subjects, and that serum sCTLA-4 concentrations were downregulated by prednisolone therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: X-J
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: H-Z
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: S-M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: L-F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: C-P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: X-N
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Zhong
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000097:blood*; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556706:CTLA4 protein, human; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D011239:Prednisolone