Role of vascular endothelial growth factor antagonism on airway remodeling in asthma

BackgroundVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important mediator of the neoangiogenesis component of remodeling in asthma.ObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of VEGF blockage on airway remodeling, specifically epithelium thickness, subepithelial smooth muscle thickness, number of mast and goblet cells, and basement membrane thickness, in a mouse model of chronic asthma.MethodsWe used 30 BALB/c mice. The control group was not exposed to ovalbumin or any medication (group 1). Other groups were exposed to intraperitoneal and inhaled ovalbumin to achieve chronic asthma. Each of these groups received intraperitoneal saline (group 2), intraperitoneal dexamethasone (group 3), or intraperitoneal bevacizumab (group 4). Histomorphologic examination for epithelium thickness, subepithelial smooth muscle thickness, number of mast and goblet cells, and basement membrane thickness was performed from the middle zone of the left lung.ResultsTreatment with anti-VEGF caused significant reduction in epithelial, subepithelial muscle, and basement membrane thickness compared with untreated asthmatic mice (P = .001, P = .03, and P = .009, respectively). Goblet and mast cell numbers were significantly lower in mice treated with anti-VEGF than in untreated mice (P = .02 and P = .007, respectively). Dexamethasone treatment resulted in improvement of all histomorphologic markers, except goblet cell number. Influences of dexamethasone and anti-VEGF on epithelial and basement membrane thickness and mast and goblet cell numbers did not differ (P > .05), but subepithelial muscle layer was thinner in the former (P = .003).ConclusionVEGF blockage may provide adjunctive therapeutic options as steroid-sparing agents for more effective treatment of remodeling in asthma.     

Increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in induced sputum in asthmatic patients

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is highly expressed in the airway of asthmatic patients. As VEGF increases airway vascular permeability, consequent thickening of the airway wall mucosa may lead to narrowing of the airway lumen. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the relationship between VEGF levels in induced sputum and eosinophilic inflammatory profiles, and the degree of airway vascular permeability in asthmatic patients and we evaluated the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on VEGF levels in induced sputum. METHODS: Induced sputum specimens were obtained from 28 glucocorticosteroids free asthmatics and 11 healthy control subjects. We examined VEGF levels and airway vascular permeability index in induced sputum. After the initial sputum induction, 21 asthmatics received 8-week inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP, 800 micro g/day) therapy, then sputum induction was repeated. RESULTS: The VEGF levels in asthmatics were significantly higher than in healthy control subjects (P < 0.0001). The VEGF levels were negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume of 1 s (FEV1, % predicted, r = - 0.68, P < 0.001), the percentage of eosinophils (r = 0.51, P < 0.01) and ECP levels (r = 0.39, P < 0.05). Moreover, the VEGF levels were significantly correlated with airway vascular permeability index (r = 0.61, P < 0.001). After 8-week inhaled BDP therapy, the VEGF levels were significantly decreased compared to pretreatment levels (P < 0.0001) and the VEGF levels were significantly correlated with airway vascular permeability index even in post-treatment asthmatics (r = 0.62, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The VEGF levels in induced sputum were increased in asthmatics and its levels were associated with degree of airway narrowing and airway vascular permeability. These findings provide strong evidence that VEGF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.     

Mucosal and systemic inflammatory changes in allergic rhinitis and asthma: a comparison between upper and lower airways

BACKGROUND: Local airway inflammation and airway remodelling are considered important in the clinical expression of allergic asthma. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare airway inflammation and remodelling in nasal and bronchial mucosa of subjects with allergic rhinitis with or without asthma. METHODS: Four experimental groups were formed: allergic asthma and rhinitis (n = 19); allergic rhinitis, no asthma (n = 18); atopic subjects, no asthma, no rhinitis (n = 8) and non-allergic healthy control subjects (n = 16). Blood samples, nasal and bronchial biopsy specimens were collected during stable disease. Immunohistochemistry was performed for eosinophils (MBP), mast cells (CD117) and vascular endothelium (CD31). Epithelial loss, reticular basement membrane (RBM) thickness and subepithelial vascularity was assessed with a computer-assisted image analysis system. RESULTS: In nasal and bronchial mucosa, numbers of eosinophils were significantly higher in rhinitis patients with and without asthma than in asymptomatic atopics (P < 0.05) and controls (P < or = 0.01). In bronchial mucosa, the RBM was significantly thickened in rhinitis patients with and without asthma compared to asymptomatic atopics (P < 0.05) and controls (P < 0.01), while in nasal mucosa no differences were seen. Patients with asthma and rhinitis had increased numbers of blood eosinophils (P = 0.05) and skin test reactivity (P = 0.01) compared to patients with rhinitis only. No significant differences could be found between the investigated groups with respect to serum IL-5 and eotaxin levels, the number of mucosal mast cells and the degree of epithelial loss and subepithelial vascularity. Epithelial desquamation was significantly increased in the bronchial mucosa compared to nasal mucosa, not only in asthmatics (P < 0.001), but also in atopics without asthma and rhinitis (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that allergic inflammation, increased basement membrane thickness and epithelial desquamation are present in the lower airways of atopic subjects, even before the onset of clinical symptoms. Despite the presence of inflammatory cells, no structural changes could be assessed in nasal mucosa of allergic patients.     

Chymase-positive mast cells play a role in the vascular component of airway remodeling in asthma

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence to support a role for total mast cells (MC(TOT)) in the vascular component of airway remodeling in asthma. On the contrary, up to now, no study has addressed the role of chymase-positive mast cells (MC(TC)) in microvasculature changes. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the role of MC(TC) in the vascular component of airway remodeling in asthma. METHODS: We recruited 8 patients with mild-to-moderate asthma and 8 healthy volunteers as a control group. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with endobronchial biopsy was successfully performed in all subjects. Immunostaining was performed for quantification of vessels, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-positive cells, MC(TOT), and MC(TC). RESULTS: Compared with those from healthy subjects, endobronchial biopsy specimens from asthmatic patients showed increased numbers of MC(TOT) and MC(TC) and VEGF(+) cells (P < .05). In asthmatic patients the number of vessels and the vascular area was also greater than in healthy subjects (P < .05). Additionally, in asthmatic patients the number of MC(TC) was significantly related to the vascular area (r(s) = 0.74, P < .01) and to the number of VEGF(+) cells (r(s) = 0.78, P < .01). Moreover, a colocalization study revealed that MC(TC) were a relevant cellular source of VEGF. Finally, a 6-week treatment with inhaled fluticasone propionate was able to reduce MC(TC) numbers. CONCLUSION: MC(TC) can play a role in the vascular component of airway remodeling in asthma, possibly through induction of VEGF. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Specific targeting of MC(TC) might be a tool for treating vascular remodeling in asthma.     

Vascular adhesion molecules in nocturnal asthma: a possible role for VCAM-1 in ongoing airway wall inflammation

BACKGROUND: Increased airway inflammation at night is thought to be one of the underlying mechanisms in nocturnal asthma. Vascular adhesion molecules may be important for the recruitment of inflammatory cells in the process of asthmatic airway inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To determine the possible role of vascular adhesion molecules in increased airway inflammation at night in subjects with nocturnal asthma. METHODS: Bronchial biopsies were obtained at 16.00 h and 04.00 h from 13 healthy controls, 15 asthmatic patients with PEF variation < or = 15% and 10 asthmatic patients with PEF variation > 15%. Biopsies were snap-frozen and double-immunostained for CD31 in combination with P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM-1 or VCAM-1. RESULTS: No significant day-night differences in expression of adhesion molecules were found in any of the three groups. The percentage of VCAM-1 positive vessels in biopsies of asthmatic patients was higher than in biopsies of healthy controls: 5.8 vs 2.5% (P < 0.05) at 16.00h and 11 vs 0% (P<0.05) at 04.00 h. In asthma, VCAM-1 expression was correlated with the number of EG2 positive cells: at 16.00 h (rho = 0.57, P < 0.01) as well as at 04.00 h (rho = 0.64, P< 0.01). Moreover, VCAM-1 expression was correlated with the number of CD25 positive cells at 16.00 h (rho = 0.43, P < 0.05) and at 04.00 h (rho = 0.41, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased nocturnal airway obstruction in asthma is not associated with an increased nocturnal expression of vascular E-selectin, P-selectin, ICAM-1 or VCAM-1. The relationship between vascular VCAM-1 expression and sub-mucosal EG2 and CD25 positive cells, both at 16.00 h and 04.00 h, suggests a role for VCAM-1 in the ongoing airway wall inflammation of asthma.     

The expression of stem cell factor and c-kit receptor in human asthmatic airways

BACKGROUND: Asthmatic airways are characterized by infiltration with a variety of inflammatory cells such as mast cells and eosinophils. Stem cell factor (SCF) is an important activating and chemotactic factor for both mast cells and eosinophils. In addition, it is a critical growth and differentiation factor for mast cells. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the contribution of SCF to the pathogenesis of asthma, we examined the expression of SCF and its receptor c-kit in bronchial biopsies and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens obtained from asthmatic subjects (n=13) and non-asthmatic control subjects (n=10). METHODS: SCF and c-kit were detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunocytochemistry (ICC). In order to phenotype the cells expressing SCF and c-kit in asthmatic tissue and BAL cells, combined ISH and ICC were also performed. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (P<0.001) in the SCF mRNA expression in asthmatic airway epithelium (70.38+/-12.33% positive cells) compared with controls (12.7+/-17.21% positive cells). There was also a significant difference in subepithelial SCF-mRNA expression, being higher in asthmatics (P<0.001). A significant difference was also found in c-kit receptor mRNA expression in asthmatic biopsies both in epithelium (P<0.001) and subepithelium (P<0.05) compared with controls. ICC results were consistent with the ISH for both SCF and c-kit receptor from asthmatics and controls. The SCF and c-kit receptor mRNA and immunoreactivity in cells recovered from bronchial washing were also significantly higher in asthmatics compared with controls (P<0.05). While SCF expression was localized predominantly in the epithelial layer in bronchial biopsy tissues, alveolar macrophages were found to be the major source of SCF in bronchial washing from asthmatic subjects. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate the increased expression of SCF and its receptor, c-kit within human asthmatic airways, which suggests an important role of this cytokine in the pathophysiology of asthma.     

嗜酸粒细胞性支气管炎气道炎症病理特征的探讨

目的： 观察嗜酸粒细胞性支气管炎（EB）气道粘膜炎症的病理特征，并与咳嗽变异型哮喘（CVA）进行比较。 方法： 对11例EB患者行纤支镜支气管粘膜活检，并以10例正常对照、10例CVA和14例典型支气管哮喘的支气管粘膜标本作对照。光镜下测量各组气道粘膜上皮的基底膜厚度，并通过免疫组化和特殊染色技术，计算EB和CVA组气道粘膜固有层中炎症细胞（嗜酸粒细胞、肥大细胞、T淋巴细胞）的浸润密度。 结果： EB组支气管粘膜基底膜厚度［2.92 μm(2.10-6.50)μm］显著高于对照组［2.08 μm(1.62-3.40 μm)］, P<0.05，同时显著低于CVA组［5.64 μm (3.23-8.48 μm)］, P<0.05，而CVA组的基底膜厚度又显著低于典型哮喘组［9.08 μm (6.61-11.99 μm)］, P<0.01；EB组气道粘膜固有层可见肥大细胞和嗜酸粒细胞散在分布，浸润密度分别为［75 cells/mm2(35-112 cells/mm2)］和［7 cells/mm2(0-31 cells/mm2)］，显著低于CVA组［148 cells/mm2(34-200 cells/mm2)，114 cells/mm2(1-768 cells/mm2)］, P<0.05，淋巴细胞浸润密度无显著差异。 结论： EB是以嗜酸细胞浸润为特征，涉及多种炎症细胞的慢性气道炎症性疾病，但气道粘膜基底膜厚度显著低于CVA和典型哮喘，炎症细胞浸润程度低于CVA，均可能是EB缺乏气道高反应性的重要机制。     

气道上皮IL-25促进哮喘气道重塑

目的:通过检测白细胞介素-25(IL-25)在嗜酸细胞性哮喘(EA)及非嗜酸细胞性哮喘(NEA)患者的血清、诱导痰及气道上皮中的表达,探讨其在支气管哮喘气道重塑中的作用。方法:选取初诊的哮喘患者55例,健康对照组27例,所有受试者均进行肺通气功能检查,然后采集空腹静脉血及诱导痰。据诱导痰中嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)的比例将哮喘患者分为EA组和NEA组。采用ELISA检测血清及诱导痰中IL-25的水平,同时对其中的10例EA组患者、10例NEA组患者及10例健康对照者行电子支气管镜气道黏膜活检,免疫组织化学技术分析IL-25在气道上皮的表达,HE染色测量气道重塑的重要指标-基底膜厚度,并行血清及诱导痰中IL-25的水平与基底膜平均厚度的相关性分析。结果:与正常对照组相比,EA和NEA组哮喘患者的肺功能轻度受损。ELISA结果显示哮喘患者血清及诱导痰中IL-25的水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05),而EA和NEA组哮喘患者间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。免疫组织化学结果显示哮喘患者气道上皮IL-25的表达明显高于对照组,HE染色显示气道黏膜下的基底膜厚度明显增加(P<0.05)。相关性分析显示哮喘患者血清及诱导痰中IL-25水平与气道黏膜下基底膜平均厚度成正相关。结论:IL-25可能有促进哮喘气道重塑的作用,嗜酸性粒细胞与基底膜厚度无明显相关性,其在哮喘气道重塑中的作用可能是有限的。     

Inhaled corticosteroids decrease vascularity of the bronchial mucosa in patients with asthma

BACKGROUND: Increased vascularity in airway mucosa is a distinctive feature of airway remodelling in asthma. While corticosteroids have proved most effective in modifying airway inflammation, the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on increased airway mucosal vascularity in asthmatics has been little studied. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of inhaled corticosteroid on airway vascularity in bronchial biopsy specimens taken from asthmatic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied bronchial biopsies from 28 asthmatic patients before and after treatment with inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 800 microg/daily, or placebo, for 6 months in a double-blind manner. Biopsy specimens were evaluated for number of vessels and percentage of area occupied by vessels, using computerized image analysis after staining for type IV collagen in vessel walls. Specimens were also examined for extent of collagen III in the subepithelial basement membrane. In addition, we compared asthmatic specimens with biopsy specimens taken from non-asthmatic control subjects. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in number of vessels (P < 0.01) and percent vascularity (P < 0.001) in the submucosa of asthmatic patients compared with control subjects. After 6 months of treatment, we observed significant improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1% and airway responsiveness (P < 0.05, each) in the BDP treatment group compared with the placebo group. This was accompanied by significant decreases in both vessel number and percent vascularity in the airways of BDP-treated patients (P < 0.05, each). We also observed a significant correlation between change in percent vascularity and change in collagen III thickness in the BDP-treated patients (rs = 0.90, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the change in percent vascularity was inversely correlated with both FEV1 (rs = -0.49, P < 0.05) and airway responsiveness (rs = -0.36, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that inhaled corticosteroid treatment of asthma reduced airway wall vascularity during airway remodelling.     

Akt对哮喘小鼠肺组织VEGF表达的上调作用

目的探讨在哮喘发病机制中,PKB/Akt对哮喘小鼠肺组织VEGF表达的调节作用。方法BALB/c小鼠30只,按随机数字表法均分为正常对照组、哮喘组、PKB/Akt阻断组,免疫荧光、Western blot方法检测各组小鼠肺组织VEGF的表达。结果免疫荧光结果显示:哮喘组肺组织内VEGF阳性产物的平均光密度(MOD)显著高于正常对照组(P<0.01),而PKB/Akt阻断组与哮喘组相比,上述部位VEGF阳性反应产物的MOD值明显降低(P<0.05)。Western blot结果显示:与正常对照组比较,哮喘组小鼠肺组织内VEGF的IDV( integrated density value)与内参照IDV的比值均明显升高(P<0.01),而PKB/Akt阻断组上述部位IL-1β目标带的IDV与内参照IDV的比值均明显低于哮喘组(P<0.05)。结论在NGF介导的哮喘发病机制中,Akt能上调哮喘小鼠肺组织内VEGF的表达。     

Localization of vascular endothelial growth factor in synovial membrane mast cells: examination with ”multi-labelling subtraction immunostaining”

 Mast cells are believed to play a novel part in the development of destructive synovial pannus in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was undertaken to investigate the localization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the synovial membrane using a unique immunostaining technique. Synovial specimens of RA patients were examined immunohistochemically and were compared with specimens from non-RA controls. Multi-labelling subtraction immunostaining, a modification of double- and triple-labelling immunostaining, revealed that the VEGF-positive cells were identical to tryptase-positive cells (mast cells). No other cell types were found to be positive for VEGF. The synovium of RA patients showed a larger number of VEGF-positive mast cells than that of non-RA controls (P<0.001). The study suggests that mast cell-derived VEGF may contribute to the development of synovial pannus in RA. Received: 1 April 1998 / Accepted: 13 July 1998     

Eosinophils are activated in middle ear mucosa and middle ear effusion of patients with intractable otitis media associated with bronchial asthma

BACKGROUND: Although patients with intractable otitis media associated with bronchial asthma have extensive accumulation of eosinophils in the middle ear mucosa and middle ear effusion, systematic histological and immunohistochemical studies have not been performed. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the pathogenesis of middle ear diseases, we carried out immunohistochemical studies on middle ear specimens, particularly focusing on the characteristics of accumulated eosinophils. METHODS: Middle ear specimens obtained from eight adult patients and from 17 controls were immunohistochemically stained using monoclonal antibodies against EG1, EG2, mast cell tryptase, IgA and IgE. The concentration of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in middle ear effusion samples was also measured. RESULTS: In the asthmatic patients, severe round-cell infiltration was observed in the submucosa and most of the EG1-positive cells were also EG2-positive. In the control patients, the mucosa showed a fibrotic change with a few inflammatory cells, and EG1- or EG2-positive cells were quite few. The expression of IgE was found not only on the surface of mast cells but also within the plasma cells in the asthmatic patients, and the number of IgE-positive cells was about twice as high as that of mast cells. A significantly higher concentration of ECP was noted in middle ear effusion obtained from the asthmatic patients than that from the control patients. CONCLUSION: Most of the eosinophils in the middle ear mucosa and middle ear effusion were activated, resulting in degranulation and release of ECP, and local IgE production occurs in the middle ear mucosa, indicating that the intractable inflammation is closely associated with IgE-mediated late phase response with eosinophil accumulation.     

Altered compartimentalization of transforming growth factor-β in asthmatic airways

Background Asthma is characterized by alterations of the bronchial epithelium associated with inflammatory cell infiltrates and sub-epithelial fibrosis. Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) is an anti-inflammatory and fibrosing cytokine normally present in bronchial epithelial cells and also potentially produced by inflammatory cells. Thus, TGF-β could play a role in the asthmatic process, and its expression could be modified in asthmatic airways. Objective To test this latter hypothesis, we studied the bronchial distribution of TGF-β in asthmatic patients. Methods TGF-β1, 2, 3 distribution was studied by immunohistochemistry in bronchial biopsies from 12 asthmatic patients and 10 non-asthmatic subjects. Results Bronchial epithelial cells from asthmatics were negative or faintly positive while a bright staining was detected in these from non-asthmatics (P < 0.0l). In both groups, when inflammatory cells were present beneath the basement membrane, they were stained by the anti-TGF-β antibody. Conclusion This study shows an altered compartimentalization of TGF-β in asthma. (a) TGF-β is scarse in asthmatic bronchial epithelial cells, which could favour the perennization of the bronchial inflammation, and (b) TGF-β is present in inflammatory cells beneath the basement membrane, where it could be involved in the frequent sub-epithelial fibrosis.     

Myofibroblasts and subepithelial fibrosis in bronchial asthma

A thickened bronchial epithelial basement membrane has long been regarded as a histopathologic characteristic of bronchial asthma. As we had previously demonstrated that this phenomenon is due to the deposition of interstitial collagens and fibronectin, we have now sought to determine the nature of the cell responsible for this process by studying endobronchial biopsies from eight normal and seven asthmatic volunteers by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Biopsies were stained with PR 2D3, a monoclonal antibody to myofibroblasts of the pericrypt sheath of the colon and a monoclonal antibody to alpha-smooth muscle actin. The thickness of the subepithelial collagen and the organelle content of the cells therein were determined by electron microscopy. The subepithelial collagen thickness in the normal subjects ranged from 2.16 to 6.26 microns, while that in the asthmatic subjects ranged from 3.75 to 11.1 microns (Mann-Whitney test; P = 0.05). Elongated cells in the collagen layer were identified by staining with PR 2D3. As this antibody also stains smooth muscle, consecutive frozen sections were stained for alpha-smooth muscle actin and the number of positive cells per millimeter of basement membrane was subtracted from the count for PR 2D3. This yielded a count of 4.9 to 9.4 cells/mm in the normal subjects and 11.9 to 20.6 cells/mm in the asthmatics (P = 0.001). There was a highly significant correlation between the depth of subepithelial collagen and the number of PR 2D3-positive, alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells (Spearman rank correlation; r = 0.764 and P = 0.006). Electron microscopy confirmed the myofibroblastic nature of these cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Eosinophils are a feature of upper and lower airway pathology in non-atopic asthma, irrespective of the presence of rhinitis

BACKGROUND: Asthma and rhinitis often co-exist and there are data to suggest that they may be two ends of the same disease spectrum. Immunohistochemical studies have shown that eosinophilia in the airways is a feature of rhinitic patients without asthma. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to examine whether cellular infiltration exists in the nasal mucosa of asthmatics even in the absence of symptoms and signs of rhinitis. METHODS: Nasal mucosa biopsies were taken from 27 non-atopic subjects and comprised nine asthmatic rhinitic patients (AR), eight asthmatic non-rhinitic patients (ANR) and 10 healthy control subjects (N). Bronchial mucosa biopsies were also taken simultaneously from some of the patients (n = 10) to determine whether there was an association between cellular infiltration in the nose and the lungs. The alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) method was used on 6 microm thick cryostat sections using monoclonal antibodies against T cells (CD4, CD8), eosinophils (EG2) and mast cells (mast cell tryptase). Slides were counted blind and results expressed as cells per field. RESULTS: The results showed that eosinophil counts were higher in both asthma groups compared with control nasal biopsies (median values AR 8.3, ANR 9.2, N 2.1 cells per field, P < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between eosinophil cell counts in the nose and the airways (r = 0.851 P < 0.001). No differences in eosinophil numbers were detected between the two groups of asthmatics. Also, no differences were noted for any other cell type (i.e. CD4, CD8, tryptase) among the three study groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that eosinophil infiltration was present in the nasal mucosa of asthmatic patients even in the absence of rhinitis, and add further support to the hypothesis that asthma and rhinitis are clinical expressions of the same disease entity.     

Increases in eotaxin‐positive cells in induced sputum from atopic asthmatic subjects after inhalational allergen challenge

BACKGROUND: Eosinophils are believed to be critical proinflammatory cells in airway mucosal damage in asthma. Eotaxin is a C-C chemokine with selective activity for eosinophils and basophils. Previous studies have shown increased expression of eotaxin in the airways of asthmatics at baseline. We aimed to investigate eotaxin expression during the late-phase reaction to allergen inhalation in atopic asthmatics. METHODS: Sputum induction was performed before and 24 h after inhalational allergen challenge in atopic asthmatics, and eotaxin protein was detected immunocytochemically. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with a mean decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 28% (+/-1.5) during the early asthmatic reaction, and 39% (+/-4.7) during the late asthmatic reaction produced sufficient sputum for study. The percentage of eosinophils in sputum was increased 24 h after allergen challenge (P<0.004), and eosinophil percentages in sputum after challenge correlated with the magnitude of the late-phase reaction (r=0.56, P=0.05). The percentage of eotaxin-positive cells increased from 12.6% (range 2-43.8) to 24.3% (8.1-47.1, P<0.005). Allergen-induced increases in eotaxin-positive cells correlated with increases in eosinophils (r=0.63, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that eotaxin may contribute to allergen-induced recruitment of eosinophils to the airway in asthmatic subjects.     

食管癌组织中血管内皮生长因子的表达对树突状细胞的影响

目的：研究食管癌组织中血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）的表达对树突状细胞（DC）的影响。方法：对94例食管癌组织采用辣根过氧化物酶（HRP）标记的链霉亲和素-生物素法（LSAB）,分别检测VEGF、S100蛋白的表达水平,并分析VEGF与S100^＋ DC的相关性。结果：食管癌组织中VEGF的表达率为74.46%（70/94）,VEGF的表达与患者的临床分期及癌组织的分化呈正相关（r=0.864,0.803,P〈0.05）。临床分期越晚,病癌组织的分化越低,癌组织内S100^＋ DC的密度越小（r=-0.763,-0.908,P〈0.05）。随着癌组织内VEGF表达量的上升,S-100^＋ DC的密度降低,二者呈负相关（r=-0.817,P〈0.05）。结论：食管癌组织中VEGF的表达可降低S100^＋DC的密度,从而影响机体的免疫功能。     

A case–control study of bronchial asthma associated with ulcerative colitis: role of airway microvascular permeability

BACKGROUND: Recent attention has been devoted to the respiratory manifestations that may be associated with diseases of distant organs. The most prevalent and distinctive pattern of respiratory involvement in ulcerative colitis (UC) is airway inflammation. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to examine the contribution of airway microvascular permeability to the pathophysiological association of asthma with UC. METHODS: Sputum induction and methacholine provocation test were performed in 27 asthmatic patients (15 without UC and 12 with UC), nine patients with UC and 15 normal controls. Inflammatory indexes, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in induced sputum, airway vascular permeability index and exhaled nitric oxide (NO) levels were examined in all subjects. RESULTS: The percentage of eosinophils and concentration of eosinophil cationic protein in induced sputum were similar in all four groups. Though exhaled NO levels were significantly higher in asthmatics with or without UC than in normal controls or UC patients, these levels were comparable in asthmatics with and without UC. VEGF levels in induced sputum and airway vascular permeability index were significantly higher in asthmatics without UC (VEGF: 1920 (990) pg/mL; airway vascular permeability index: 0.018 (0.008)) and asthmatics with UC (6570 (1000) pg/mL; 0.040 (0.006)) than in normal controls (950 (700) pg/mL; 0.009 (0.003)), whose levels were comparable to those of UC patients (900 (600) pg/mL; 0.011 (0.003)). In particular, these parameters were markedly increased in asthmatics with UC than in asthmatics without UC. VEGF level was significantly correlated with airway vascular permeability index in asthmatics with UC. Moreover, VEGF level and airway vascular permeability index was inversely correlated with degree of airway obstruction and airway hyper-reactivity to methacholine in these asthmatics. CONCLUSION: Airway microvascular hyper-permeability induced by VEGF may have a profound effect on airway function and can explain the heightened airway hyper-responsiveness characteristic of asthma associated with UC.