title: Increased Levels of Interleukin-33 and Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin in Exhaled Breath Condensate in Chronic Bronchial Asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epithelium-derived cytokines such as thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-25, and IL-33 are important contributors to inflammation in asthma. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a noninvasive method used to assess the inflammation of airways. Our aim was to assess the levels of TSLP, IL-25, IL-33, and its receptor ST2l/IL-1 R4 in EBC in patients with asthma and to correlate these with serum levels and asthma control.
  
  
  METHODS
  EBC and serum levels of TSLP, IL-25, IL-33, and ST2l/IL-1 R4 were measured in 44 patients with chronic bronchial asthma (14 in the uncontrolled phase) and 19 healthy control participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EBC levels of IL-33 and TSLP and serum levels of IL-33 were statistically higher in patients with asthma than in controls. IL-25 and ST2l/IL-1 R4 were present in EBC at barely detectable levels and were not analyzed. The EBC and serum levels of all studied mediators did not differ between controlled and uncontrolled asthma patients, except for the serum level of ST2l/IL-1 R4, which was higher in uncontrolled asthma. There were no correlations between serum and EBC levels of TSLP and IL-33 or between either serum and EBC levels and the forced expiratory volume in 1 s or the total IgE level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher levels of IL-33 and TSLP in EBC provide evidence supporting a role for these mediators in asthma. Their levels do not discriminate between controlled and uncontrolled asthma. The local reaction within the epithelium is independent of the systemic reaction.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Internal Diseases, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Glück
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rymarczyk
authors.forename: Mirosława
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kasprzak
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rogala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D001944:Breath Tests; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000067596:Interleukin-33 / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C506536:IL33 protein, human; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin