Serum ICAM-1 in asthmatic children

ABSTRACT

The recruitment of leukocytes to inflamed tissues depends on the function of adhesive molecules of the leukocytes and of vascular endothelium. Intercellular adhesion molecules-1 [ICAM-1, CD.54] is a number of the immunoglobulin super-family of adhesion proteins. It is expressed by a number of blood cells and by endothclial, fibroblastic, and epithelial cells. The expression of ICAM-1 is upregulated by a number of cytokines that are released at sites of inflammation. It is probable that ICAM-1 participates in the recruitment of eosmophils to asthmatic airways and contributes to the pathogenesis of asthma. Serum ICAM-1 contains most of the structure of the extracellular portion of membrane-bound ICAM-1 could potentially have physiologic function, perhaps as a modifier of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 [LFA-1] dependent leukocyte adhesion. The principle objective of this work is to assess serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecules-1 [slCAM-1] level in asthmatic children during acute asthma exacerbation of their symptoms. We will pay attention to the effect of corticosteroid therapy on serum ICAM-1 level when administered for a short period of time during the acute episode. The study included 30 wheezy children with age from [6 months to 12 year] and 10 normal controls with the same age range. All children and controls undergo good history taking and thorough clinical examination, plain chest X-ray and laboratory investigations including; serum IgE, CBC with differential, serum ICAM-1 determination. Bacterial infection is excluded by clinical examination, leukocytic count, and chest X-ray. Our results showed that serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecules-1 [sICAM-1] level is significantly higher during acute asthma exacerbation in comparison to its level in serum of healthy controls. Also the level of serum soluble adhesion molecules-1 [slCAM-1] is reduced significantly 10 days following the acute episode after a short period of oral corticosteroid therapy