Peripheral blood eosinophils [PBE] apoptosis and fas expression in asthmatic children

ABSTRACT

This study included three groups of children with matched age and sex. Group 1 consisted of 25 quick relief-treated asthmatic children [not treated with steroids], group 2 included 28 steroid-treated asthmatic children and group 3 consisted of 20 healthy children. All children were subjected to complete medical history, thorough clinical examination, pulmonary function tests [flow expiratory volume at 1 second [FEV1] and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR]], absolute peripheral blood eosinophils [PBE] count, assessment of apoptosis and Fas expression of PBE by cytometry. It was concluded that there was a decrease of Fas receptors expression on PBE in quick relief treated asthmatic children, which may results in a delay of PBE apoptosis. The delay of PBE apoptosis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. The steroid treated asthmatic children may be associated with higher PBE apoptosis and Fas expression on PBE. The increase of Fas expression on PBE in steroid- treated asthmatic children is not the main mechanism of PBE apoptosis induction and other mechanisms must be considered