Plasma transforming growth factor beta-1 level in asthmatic children

ABSTRACT

Airway remodeling is a characteristic feature of asthma. The mechanism of this remodeling is thought to involve Transforming growth factor - beta1 [TGF-beta1]. We compare plasma level of TGF-beta1 among asthmatic patients and healthy children and to evaluate these levels with atopic status. 50 asthmatic patients divided into 30 asthmatics in between attack and 20 during attack . As regard to atopy they were subdivided into atopic during and in between attack and non-atopic during and in between attack. Group II [Control group] this group included 20 healthy volunteers. All subjects were subjected to history taking, chest X-ray, CBC, intra-dermal skin tests, serum level of total IgE and determination of plasma TGF-beta1. There was statistical significant difference between asthmatics and control group, also between asthmatics inbetween attack and control group as regard the mean total leucocytic count. Regarding the mean eosinophilic count, there was extremely statistical significant difference between asthmatics [during and in between attack] with control group, there was statistical significant difference between asthmatic patients inbetween attack and during attack. Regarding the mean neutrophil count there was statistical significant difference in asthmatics compared to the control group, there was no statistical significant difference between asthmatics in between attack and asthmatics during attack. Regarding to serum level of total IgE, there was statistical significant difference between both asthmatic group and the control group. But no statistical significant difference between asthmatic patients in between attack and during attack. Regarding plasma level of TGF beta1, there was significant difference between asthmatic group and the control group, also between asthmatics during and in between attack. The most risky offending allergen was mixed pollens [71.4%], followed by hay dust [61.9%], smoke [57.1%], house dust [47.6%], mixed fungi [38%], cotton [28.5%], wool [19%] and lastly, human hair [9.5%]. There was statistical significant difference as regard the mean total leucocytic and neutrophil count in non- atopic patients compared to atopic patient. Statistical significant difference as regard the mean serum level of total IgE in atopic patients in between attack compared to the other groups. There was also statistical significant difference between both groups of atopic patient, also both groups of non-atopic as regard to serum total IgE. As regard the mean level of plasma TGF beta1, there was statistical significant difference in non-atopic asthmatic patients inbetween attack compared to other groups. There was also statistical significant difference between both groups of atopic and both group of non-atopic patients. This study concludes that patients with non atopic asthma have elevated plasma TGFbeta1 levels that may reflect a post-infective phenomenon that serves to down-regulate the host immune response