Differences of Inflammatory Mechanisms in Asthma and COPD

Bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are increasing common diseases. The major pathogenesis of both illnesses is chronic inflammation. However, the inflammatory pattern is distinct in each disease. In asthmatic airways, activated mast cells/eosinophils and T helper 2 lymphocytes (Th2) are predominant. In contrast, macrophages and neutrophils are important in COPD airways/lung. Although nitric oxide (NO) hyperproduction due to inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is observed in asthma and COPD, nitrotyro- sine formation via the reaction between NO and O2^- in addition to the myeloperoxidase-mediated pathway. These distinct inflammatory patterns in both diseases seem to cause pathological differences in asthma and COPD.     

The effects of cigarette smoke on airway inflammation in asthma and COPD: therapeutic implications

Asthma and COPD are two chronic inflammatory disorders of the airway characterized by airflow limitation. While many similarities exist between these two diseases, they are pathologically distinct due to the involvement of different inflammatory cells; predominantly neutrophils, CD8 lymphocytes in COPD and eosinophils and CD4 lymphocytes in asthma. Cigarette smoking is associated with accelerated decline of lung function, increased mortality, and worsening of symptoms in both asthma and COPD. Furthermore, exposure to cigarette smoke can alter the inflammatory mechanisms in asthma to become similar to that seen in COPD with increasing CD8 cells and neutrophils and may therefore alter the response to therapy. Cigarette smoke exposure has been associated with a poor response to inhaled corticosteroids which are recommended as first line anti-inflammatory medications in asthma and as an add-on therapy in patients with severe COPD with history of exacerbations. While the main proposed mechanism for this altered response is the reduction of the histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) enzyme system, other possible mechanisms include the overexpression of GR-β, activation of p38 MAPK pathway and increased production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2, 4, 8, TNF-α and NF-K?. Few clinical trials suggest that leukotriene modifiers may be an alternative to corticosteroids in smokers with asthma but there are currently no drugs which effectively reduce the progression of inflammation in smokers with COPD. However, several HDAC2 enhancers including low dose theophylline and other potential anti-inflammatory therapies including PDE4 inhibitors and p38 MAPK inhibitors are being evaluated.     

Small bowel of patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis: absence of inflammation despite the presence of major cellular components of allergic inflammation.

Eosinophils participate in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract and the gut. We investigated the constitutive presence of eosinophils and mononuclear cells in the macroscopically normal duodenal mucosa of patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Macroscopically normal duodenal specimens were obtained at routine endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal symptoms from 16 patients with asthma and 13 patients with allergic rhinitis. Twelve nonatopic patients with irritable bowel syndrome were studied as controls. Specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using a panel of antibodies to human eosinophil cationic protein clone EG1 (EG1) and clone EG2 (EG2), anti-human interleukin (anti-hIL)-5, anti-hIL-4, anti-CD4, and anti-CD68. Significantly increased numbers of eosinophils stained with EG1 and EG2 were found in the duodenum of patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis compared with controls. IL-5+ cells and IL-4+ cells were detected in significantly increased numbers in the duodenal mucosa of patients with asthma and rhinitis compared with controls. Mononuclear cells expressing CD4 (helper T cells) and CD68 (macrophages) also were significantly increased in the duodenal mucosa of asthma and rhinitis compared with controls. Accumulation of eosinophils in conjunction with IL-4+ cells and IL-5+ cells in the noninflamed duodenal mucosa may reflect a predominant T helper cell subset 2 systemic immune response in patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis. The absence of intestinal inflammation despite the marked presence of cells implicated in the allergic inflammation suggests that local mechanisms might determine the state of nonresponsiveness in the gut mucosa of patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis.     

Adenosine-receptor subtypes: their relevance to adenosine-mediated responses in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Adenosine administration by inhalation elicits concentration-related bronchoconstriction in subjects with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The mechanisms of adenosine-induced bronchoconstriction appear to involve a selective interaction with activated mast cells with subsequent release of preformed and newly-formed mediators. Further evidence linking adenosine signalling to asthma and COPD comes from the finding that many cell types that play important roles in the exacerbation of these conditions express adenosine receptors and demonstrate relevant effects through stimulation of these receptors. Therefore, blockade of these receptors may be a valuable approach to the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Promising adenosine-receptor targets for novel therapeutics of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have recently been identified in a number of inflammatory cell types, including mast cells, eosinophils, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages. The recent characterisation of the A2B receptors indicates the human lung mast cell as one of the most strategic cellular targets.     

Asthma and smoking: an unfortunate combination

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways in which a key role is played by certain cells and mediators (T-helper 2 cells, mast cells, eosinophils, interleukin 4 and 5). In certain disorders such as irritant-induced asthma, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome, and asthma due to toluene diisocyanate, inflammation is mediated predominantly by T-helper 1 cells, macrophages and neutrophils. Smoking also produces bronchial inflammation, in this case mediated primarily by macrophages and neutrophils although eosinophil predominance has also been observed in some smokers (an allergic response to certain antigens). The remodeling of the airway wall that accompanies the chronic inflammatory cascade may alter the cell response profile making it difficult to determine which type of inflammatory infiltrate is predominant. The association of asthma and smoking is a reality in our society, and it is a combination that substantially modifies pathogenic mechanisms and gives rise to a more severe clinical picture. Resistance to some of the pharmacotherapies used routinely in the treatment of asthma (corticosteroids) has also been observed and this has favored the use of other drugs (antileukotrienes). One of the preventative measures that should be used more energetically is to encourage patients to stop smoking, paying particular attention to asthmatic smokers.     

Th2／Th17细胞群与支气管哮喘机制研究

支气管哮喘（简称哮喘）是一种由多种细胞（如嗜酸粒细胞、肥大细胞、T淋巴细胞、中性粒细胞和气道上皮细胞等）和细胞组分参与的气道慢性炎症性疾病。经典的Th1／Th2细胞失衡被认为是过敏性哮喘的主要发病机制,Th17／IL-17轴被证实与重症哮喘、激素抵抗型哮喘、以中性粒细胞浸润为主的哮喘有关。近年来研究发现,机体内存在一种不同于目前已知的Thl、Th2、Thl7、Th9等的新型CD4＋T细胞,被称为Th2／Th17双表型记忆性CD4＋T细胞群（简称Th2／Th17细胞群）。在哮喘发病机制的探讨中发现,Th2／Th17细胞群既能分泌Th2表型细胞因子IL-4、IL-5、IL-13,也可以分泌Th17型细胞因子IL-17、IL-8、IL-22等;且在不同的微环境下发生不一样的生物学效应,这显示了Th2／Th17细胞群可能在哮喘发生发展（特别是重症哮喘）及各亚型相互转化过程中起着决定性作用。现就Th2／Th17细胞群的生物学功能及其与哮喘的相关性进行如下综述。     

Treating COPD with PDE 4 inhibitors

While the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is incompletely understood, chronic inflammation is a major factor. In fact, the inflammatory response is abnormal, with CD8⁺ T-cells, CD68⁺ macrophages, and neutrophils predominating in the conducting airways, lung parenchyma, and pulmonary vasculature. Elevated levels of the second messenger cAMP can inhibit some inflammatory processes. Theophylline has long been used in treating asthma; it causes bronchodilation by inhibiting cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE), which inactivates cAMP. By inhibiting PDE, theophylline increases cAMP, inhibiting inflammation and relaxing airway smooth muscle. Rather than one PDE, there are now known to be more than 50, with differing activities, substrate preferences, and tissue distributions. Thus, the possibility exists of selectively inhibiting only the enzyme(s) in the tissue(s) of interest. PDE 4 is the primary cAMP-hydrolyzing enzyme in inflammatory and immune cells (macrophages, eosinophils, neutrophils). Inhibiting PDE 4 in these cells leads to increased cAMP levels, down-regulating the inflammatory response. Because PDE 4 is also expressed in airway smooth muscle and, in vitro, PDE 4 inhibitors relax lung smooth muscle, selective PDE 4 inhibitors are being developed for treating COPD. Clinical studies have been conducted with PDE 4 inhibitors; this review concerns those reported to date.     

Long-term repeatability of induced sputum cells and inflammatory markers in stable, moderately severe COPD

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Neutrophilic inflammation is a major feature of COPD. Induced sputum is increasingly used to monitor inflammatory airway diseases. Although short-term repeatability of selected sputum markers has been extensively studied in several populations, data on the long-term repeatability of induced sputum markers in stable COPD are scant. DESIGN: Sputum supernatant of 12 patients with stable COPD was analyzed on three separate occasions with 4-weekly intervals. Sputum cells and inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-8 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1 were measured in supernatant using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Repeatability of sputum markers was expressed by intraclass correlation coefficients (Ri). Measurements and results: Sputum induction was safe in all patients. None of the sputum parameters analyzed changed significantly throughout the study. The repeatability for cell differential counts in stable COPD was as follows: total cells, Ri = 0.07; neutrophils, Ri = 0.66; macrophages, Ri = 0.47; eosinophils, Ri = 0.49; and lymphocytes, Ri = 0.58. The repeatability of soluble markers was as follows: IL-8, Ri = 0.50; and sICAM, Ri = 0.58. Sputum neutrophils were negatively correlated with lung function on each separate occasion, whereas soluble markers were not correlated with sputum cells (p > 0.16, all correlations) or lung function (p > 0.24, all correlations). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically stable, moderate COPD is associated with equally stable sputum inflammatory markers. Repeatability of induced-sputum markers of neutrophilic inflammation in stable COPD is satisfactory, even over extended periods of time. These data support the usefulness of serial monitoring of induced-sputum inflammatory markers in COPD.     

TRPC1对慢性阻塞性肺疾病慢性气道炎症的影响

目的探讨瞬时感受器电位通道C1(TRPC1)在慢性阻塞性肺疾病(慢阻肺)患者支气管黏膜上皮的表达水平及其与慢性气道炎症之间的关系。方法选取因不明原因肺部结节行纤维支气管镜检查的78例患者,依据慢性阻塞性肺疾病诊治指南分为慢阻肺组(46例)及对照组(32例),其中慢阻肺组再随机分为两个亚组:每日3次规律使用吸入型激素(ICS)布地奈德(ICS组,23例)及安慰剂(非ICS组,23例)治疗。所有受检查者均行支气管肺泡灌洗及支气管镜下刷检。Western Blot及qRT-PCR法检测刷检支气管上皮细胞内TRPC1表达水平,支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)行细胞学分类计数。酶联免疫吸附法检测BALF上清液中炎症介质白细胞介素13(IL-13)、成纤维生长因子2(FGF-2)表达水平。结果慢阻肺组支气管上皮细胞内的TRPC1 mRNA、蛋白表达水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05);ICS组的TRPC1表达水平低于非ICS组(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,慢阻肺组BALF中的中性粒细胞、巨噬细胞、淋巴细胞计数及IL-13、FGF-2水平均明显升高(P<0.05)。而ICS组BALF中的中性粒细胞、巨噬细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞、淋巴细胞计数及IL-13、FGF-2表达水平则低于非ICS组(P<0.05)。相关性分析结果显示,TRPC1 mRNA和蛋白表达水平与肺功能第一秒用力呼吸容积(FEV 1)占预计值百分比(FEV 1/Pre%)呈负相关(P<0.01),而与BALF中的中性粒细胞、巨噬细胞、淋巴细胞计数及IL-13、FGF-2水平呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论TRPC1可能通过参与慢阻肺慢性气道炎症过程促进疾病的发生发展,而ICS在一定程度上可干预该作用。     

Effects of inhaled corticosteroids on pathology in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) have been investigated in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using endobronchial biopsies. In asthma, most studies have shown reductions in infiltrating eosinophils, mast cells, and T lymphocytes. Cell-associated mediators, such as cytokines derived from type 2 T-helper lymphocytes, are decreased as assessed by immunostaining and molecular biology techniques. More recently, attention has been devoted to the effect of ICSs on structural changes. In asthma, ICSs have been shown in some studies to affect collagen deposition (size of the reticular basement membrane), the number of vessels, or epithelial integrity. The correlations between those findings and various clinical and functional outcomes are far from clear. A long-term study has shown a decrease in the basement membrane size in a group of patients with asthma treated according to their level of airway hyperreactivity. In COPD, ICSs generally do not decrease neutrophils, macrophages, and CD8(+) T lymphocytes. The effects of these drugs on structural changes in COPD have not been investigated extensively. Long-term prospective studies are needed to demonstrate the potential for ICSs to affect the natural history of chronic bronchial diseases.     

Airway mucosal inflammation in COPD is similar in smokers and ex-smokers: a pooled analysis.

Bronchial biopsy specimens from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients demonstrate increased numbers of CD8+ T-lymphocytes, macrophages and, in some studies, neutrophils and eosinophils. Smoking cessation affects the rate of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) decline in COPD, but the effect on inflammation is uncertain. Bronchial biopsy inflammatory cell counts were compared in current and ex-smokers with COPD. A pooled analysis of subepithelial inflammatory cell count data from three bronchial biopsy studies that included COPD patients who were either current or ex-smokers was performed. Cell count data from 101 subjects, 65 current smokers and 36 ex-smokers, were analysed for the following cell types: CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, CD68+ (monocytes/macrophages), neutrophil elastase+ (neutrophils), EG2+ (eosinophils), mast cell tryptase+ and cells mRNA-positive for tumour necrosis factor-alpha. Current smokers and ex-smokers were similar in terms of lung function, as measured by FEV(1) (% predicted), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV(1)/FVC. The results demonstrate that there were no significant differences between smokers and ex-smokers in the numbers of any of the inflammatory cell types or markers analysed. It is concluded that, in established chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the bronchial mucosal inflammatory cell infiltrate is similar in ex-smokers and those that continue to smoke.     

Increased expression of the chemoattractant cytokines eotaxin, monocyte chemotactic protein-4, and interleukin-16 in induced sputum in asthmatic patients

BACKGROUND: Induced sputum from asthmatic patients has been recently used to assess inflammatory cells. We have previously reported an increased expression of Th-2-type cytokines in induced sputum of asthmatic patients. C-C chemokines, particularly eotaxin and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-4, are associated with eosinophilic infiltration. Interleukin (IL)-16 is associated with chemotactic activity for CD4+ cells. Chemokine expression in BAL and bronchial biopsy specimens has been demonstrated in asthmatic airways, but not in induced sputum. METHODS: We examined whether eotaxin, MCP-4, and IL-16 expression could be detected in induced sputum of asthmatic patients (n = 10), and whether the expression was increased compared to normal control subjects (n = 9). Eotaxin, MCP-4, and IL-16 immunoreactivity were determined by immunocytochemistry. In addition, inflammatory cells were investigated using markers for T cells (CD3), eosinophils (major basic protein [MBP]), macrophages (CD68), neutrophils (elastase), and epithelial cells (cytokeratin). RESULTS: Our results showed that there was a significant difference in the percentages of MBP-positive and epithelial cells between asthmatic patients and normal control subjects (p < 0.05). However, there was no difference between these two groups in the percentage of CD3-, elastase-, and CD68-positive cells. Immunoreactivity for eotaxin, MCP-4, and IL-16 was expressed in the induced sputum of all asthmatic patients, and expression of these chemotactic cytokines was significantly greater than in control subjects (p < 0.001, p < 0.005, and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that induced sputum could be used to detect chemokines in patients with bronchial asthma, and that the upregulation of chemotactic cytokines in the airways can be seen using noninvasive techniques.     

Effects of ragweed and Th-2 cytokines on the secretion of IL-8 in human airway epithelial cells

Ragweed-induced asthma is a very common pulmonary disease. An important part of asthma is a large increase in inflammatory cells, including neutrophils and eosinophils, in ragweed-sensitilized subjects. In this study, we determined if ragweed treatment could induce the release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) by human airway epithelial cells. We found that ragweed induces a substantial increase of the secretion of IL-8 from A549 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Th-2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13, partially inhibited the ragweed-induced secretion of IL-8. Our results suggest that airway epithelial cells may be one of the cell sources that provide IL-8 during ragweed-induced asthma. The results also indicate that IL-4 and IL-13 may exert inhibitory effects on IL-8 secretion by airway epithelium.     

Clinical characteristics of bronchial asthma in the elderly in relation to cell component in the airways

Cellular responses in the airways of bronchial asthma, which might be affected with aging, were compared between 28 elderly (60 years old or more) and 28 younger (40 years old or less) patients with bronchial asthma. The cellular responses were observed to differentiate 500 cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), excluding epithelial cells. The average frequency of each type of cell in the BALF of the elderly asthmatics was 65.7% for macrophages, 15.5% for lymphocytes, 8.9% for neutrophils and 9.5% for eosinophils. In the younger asthmatics the average frequency was 61.8% for macrophages, 17.1% for lymphocytes, 4.1% for neutrophils and 16.1% for eosinophils. A significant increase in the frequency of neutrophils in BALF of the elderly cases was observed in steroid-dependent intractable asthmatics compared to the younger cases (p less than 0.05). An increase in frequency of eosinophils in the younger cases was also observed, although the difference in the frequency was not significant between the elderly and the younger intractable cases. A significant difference in the frequency of each type of cell in the clinical type of bronchial asthma was not present between the elderly and the younger cases. However, the frequency of neutrophils in elderly cases was significantly increased in Ib. bronchospasm + hypersecretion type compared to Ia. bronchospasm type (p less than 0.05), and was more elevated in II. bronchiolar obstruction type (p less than 0.01). The frequency of neutrophils was markedly more increased in the elderly cases with poor prognosis than in the younger cases (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Eosinophils and major basic protein damage but do not detach human amniotic epithelial cells.

Damage and detachment of epithelial cells is thought to contribute to the pathologenesis of asthma. Both eosinophils and neutrophils are found in asthmatic airways and several studies have suggested that eosinophils may be responsible for the epithelial cell detachment of asthma. To compare the capacity of purified human eosinophils and neutrophils to mediate epithelial cell detachment, we utilized a human amniotic epithelial cell-basement membrane model that we have recently described. Activated eosinophils induced little detachment at 4 h (less than 10% detachment), which contrasted with that seen with equivalent numbers of identically handled neutrophils (29 +/- 6% detachment, p less than .05). In contrast, eosinophils did induce damage to epithelial cells to an extent similar to neutrophils when assessed using a 51Cr release assay (17 +/- 6% and 18 +/- 9% release of 51Cr, respectively). When purified preparations of the major eosinophil-derived protein major basic protein (MBP) were studied, similar effects on epithelial cells were observed, i.e., damage (77 +/- 13% release of 51Cr) without detachment (less than 5% cell detachment). These data suggest that neutrophils are more effective in inducing detachment of human epithelial cells, whereas both eosinophils and neutrophils damage human epithelial cells.     

Neutrophiles et asthme aigu grave

Severe asthma attacks can be triggered by number of factors, including allergens, irritants, viruses responsible for severe bronchoconstriction, and bronchial inflammation involving activated eosinophils and neutrophils. The key role of eosinophils in asthma, and in attacks of asthma, is well known, whereas the role of neutrophils has not been studied extensively. Neutrophils are present in the sputum and bronchial lavage fluid of children and adults during acute asthma attacks and during status asthmaticus. In these situations, viruses, but also allergens and endotoxin are able to recruit neutrophils via IL-8 production by activated epithelial cells or macrophages. The role of corticosteroids also needs to be considered: it decreases eosinophil counts, but activates neutrophil progenitors and inhibits neutrophil apoptosis. In severe asthma attacks, various mediators secreted by neutrophils can enhance bronchial inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, the “plugs” phenomenon and bronchial permeability. The contribution of metalloproteinase-9, (secreted mainly by neutrophils) in bronchial inflammation has been recently demonstrated in patients with severe asthma attacks and in those with status asthmaticus.     

哮喘和慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者肺灌洗液Th亚群及B7分子的差异

目的探讨哮喘和慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)及正常对照者支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中淋巴细胞分泌γ干扰素(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素4(IL-4)水平和肺泡巨噬细胞(AM)表达C80(B7-1)、CD86(B7-2)共刺激分子百分率有何不同及其意义.方法分别对16名健康自愿者、16例过敏性哮喘患者和16例COPD患者进行了支气管肺泡灌洗(BAL),获取淋巴细胞和AM,用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附法(ELASA)测定了经植物血凝素(PHA)刺激培养的淋巴细胞上清液中IFN-γ和IL-4水平;用生物素-抗生物素复合物(ABC)夹心法测定了经脂多糖(LPS)剌激培养的AM膜表面表达CD80和CD86阳性率,并将正常对照组中已经LPS剌激的和未经LPS刺激的AM膜表面表达CD80与CD86阳性率进行对照.结果在反映Th2的IL-4水平,哮喘组为(331±150)ng/L,与正常对照组(106±42)ng/L及COPD组(49±20)ng/L比较,差异均有显著性(P均<0.01);COPD组IL-4水平与正常对照组比较,差异有显著性(P<0.01);在反映Th1的IFN-γ水平,COPD组(342±122)ng/L与正常对照组(188±67)ng/L及哮喘组(77±32)ng/L比较,差异也均有显著性(P均<0.01);哮喘组IFN-γ水平与正常对照组比较,差异有显著性(P<0.01).AM表达CD86阳性率哮喘组为(22±8)%,与正常对照组(12±6)%及COPD组(11±6)%比较,差异均有显著性(P均<0.01);COPD组与正常对照组比较差异无显著性(P>0.05);正常对照组中未经LPS刺激的与已经LPS刺激的AM在表达B7百分率上差异无显著性(P>0.05).三组48例受检者IL-4水平与经LPS刺激的AM表达CD86阳性率呈显著正相关(r=0.61,P<0.05).结论哮喘和COPD患者肺内淋巴细胞在细胞因子分泌谱上存在截然相反的格局,前者存在向Th2而后者存在向Th1极化的调控,其差异可能与抗原提呈细胞提供的共刺激信号不同有关,CD86在哮喘向Th2极化中可能起重要调控作用,这提示哮喘与COPD在肺局部细胞免疫学上无论从抗原提呈方式还是T细胞分泌谱上都是本质不同的两种疾病.     

Montelukast effects on inflammation in allergic rhinitis: a double blind placebo controlled pilot study

It has been demonstrated that Leukotriene modifiers reduce rhinitis symptoms, but montelukast preventive effect on inflammatory cells pattern in intranasal challenge studies has not been already assessed. This pilot study has been designed to explore the montelukast effects in preventing early/late inflammatory cells response to specific allergen challenge in persistent rhinitis. After a 4 week wash-out period, patients were randomised to receive montelukast/placebo for 4 weeks. Pre-post treatment nasal washing and scraping before and after specific nasal challenge were performed. No difference in baseline inflammatory cells count before and after treatment was shown between groups. Despite at a basal level a decrease of inflammatory cells in active group after treatment was observed, the statistical significance was not reached. The generalised mixed model showed that, after therapeutic interventions, the inflammatory cells increased 30' and 6 hour after challenge but, only in the active group the cells amounting was less for eosinophils (-34%), macrophages (-56%), lymphocytes (-45%) and neutrophils (-46%; p = 0.001). The longitudinal generalised linear model with just one time variable showed a decrease of all inflammatory cellular types although a significant relevance was reached only for macrophages (p = 0.038) and neutrophils (p = 0.001). The modulatory effect on neutrophils and macrophages could lead to montelukast still unexplored effects. Specific trials, sized according to the results of this pilot exploratory study, could add relevant evidences concerning the leukotrienes receptors antagonist treatment of specific rhinitis and asthma phenotypes.