Cytokines in exhaled breath condensate of children with asthma and cystic fibrosis.
BACKGROUND
Inflammatory mediators in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) indicate ongoing inflammation in the lungs and might differentiate between asthma and cystic fibrosis (CF).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the presence, concentration, and short-term variability of TH1- and TH2-mediated cytokines (interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin 10 [IL-10], IL-5, IL-4, and IL-2) in EBC of children with asthma or CF and in controls and to analyze the discriminating ability of inflammatory markers in EBC between children with asthma or CF and controls.


METHODS
Expired air was conducted through a double-jacketed glass tube cooled by circulating ice water. In 33 asthmatic children, 12 children with CF, and 35 control children, EBC was collected during tidal breathing. Cytokines were measured using flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Interleukin 2, IL-4, IFN-gamma, and IL-10 were detected in 16%, 16%, 11%, and 9%, respectively, of all samples in asthma and CF. Interleukin 5 and TNF-alpha were not detected in children with CF. Cytokine concentrations did not differ significantly in children with asthma vs CF. In controls, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 were detected in 9%, 14%, and 3%, respectively; IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5 were not detected in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Cytokines such as IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-5, IL-4, and IL-2 can be detected in EBC of children with asthma or CF. However, the concentrations found are close to the detection limits of the assay used. These findings emphasize the importance of developing more sensitive techniques for the analysis of EBC and of standardizing the EBC collection method.
Robroeks
Charlotte M H H T
CM
Department of Paediatric Pulmonology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. crob@paed.azm.nl
Jöbsis
Quirijn
Q
Damoiseaux
Jan G M C
JG
Heijmans
Peter H M
PH
Rosias
Philippe P R
PP
Hendriks
Han J E
HJ
Dompeling
Edward
E
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D001944:Breath Tests; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D007378:Interleukins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma