Peripheral blood CD161+ T cells from asthmatic patients are activated during asthma attack and predominantly produce IFN-gamma.

In humans, T cells expressing the CD161 molecule NKR-P1A constitute around 20% of the circulating CD3(+) cells and are potentially immunoregulatory in several diseases. Their role in asthma is not well known, but they could participate in asthma attacks. To determinate whether activation of CD161(+) T cells and their cytokine production correlate with clinical status of asthma, we analysed blood samples from asthma attack patients (AAP) and stable asthma patients (SAP) in comparison with healthy non-atopic controls (HC). There was a significant higher baseline expression of CD69 on T cells from AAP and the difference was more notorious on CD161(+) T cells; upregulation of CD69 was observed on both CD161(-) and CD161(+) T cells driven by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus crude extract, whereas polyclonal stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus ionomycin predominantly induced IFN-gamma but no IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 by CD161(+) T cells in all groups; upon polyclonal stimulation, there were more CD161(+) T cells producing IFN-gamma and less CD161(-) T cells producing this cytokine, contrasting with the opposite results observed in SAP and HC groups. Our results indicate that, during asthma attack, CD161(+) T cells are activated and are able to produce predominantly IFN-gamma but no Th2 cytokines. We hypothesize that during an asthma attack, IFN-gamma produced by CD161(+) T cells could help to reestablish the Th1/Th2 equilibrium. These observations may contribute to the understanding of the immune mechanisms involved in asthma attacks.

Quality of life in pediatric patients with asthma with or without obesity: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: In addition to the increased incidence of asthma, obesity in asthmatic children is also on the rise. Several studies have been performed to determine whether obesity could be a risk factor for asthma, but this association has not been demonstrated in all patients. The Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) is a standardized and validated tool for use in the pediatric population, which evaluates the effect of asthma on patients' daily activities. METHODS AND RESULTS: To determine the effect of obesity and overweight on quality of life, the PAQLQS was applied to 100 pediatric patients with intermittent asthma and mild persistent asthma and obesity, overweight and normal weight. The results of the three dimensions evaluated in the questionnaire (emotions, symptoms and limitation of activities) showed significant differences in quality of life in the obese asthmatic group only (p < 0.000). No differences were found when the groups with and without overweight were compared. CONCLUSIONS: The PAQLQ revealed a significant difference in the quality of life in obese asthmatic patients. Overweight and normal weight had no effect quality of life.

Quality of life in pediatric patients with asthma with or without obesity: a pilot study

Background: In addition to the increased incidence of asthma, obesity in asthmatic children is also on the rise. Several studies have been performed to determine whether obesity could be a risk factor for asthma, but this association has not been demonstrated in all patients. The Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) is a standardized and validated tool for use in the pediatric population, which evaluates the effect of asthma on patients' daily activities. Methods and results: To determine the effect of obesity and overweight on quality of life, the PAQLQS was applied to 100 pediatric patients with intermittent asthma and mild persistent asthma and obesity, overweight and normal weight. The results of the three dimensions evaluated in the questionnaire (emotions, symptoms and limitation of activities) showed significant differences in quality of life in the obese asthmatic group only (p < 0.000). No differences were found when the groups with and without overweight were compared. Conclusions: The PAQLQ revealed a significant difference in the quality of life in obese asthmatic patients. Overweight and normal weight had no effect quality of life (AU)

Introducción: Además del aumento en la prevalencia de asma la obesidad está incrementando en pacientes asmáticos. Muchos estudios han sido realizados para determinar si la obesidad puede ser un factor de riesgo para presentar asma, sin embargo esta relación no ha sido evidente en todos los casos. El cuestionario Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life (PAQLQS) es una herramienta estandarizada y validada para su uso en niños evaluando qué tanto afecta el asma las actividades diarias del paciente. Métodos y resultados: Se aplico el PAQLQS a 100 pacientes pediátricos con asma intermitente y leve persistente con obesidad, sobrepeso y peso normal para valorar si la obesidad y el sobrepeso afectaban más su calidad de vida. En los resultados de los 3 niveles evaluados en el cuestionario (emociones, síntomas y limitación de actividades) sólo el grupo de obesos asmáticos tuvo una diferencia significativas en la calidad de vida (p < 0,000). No hubo diferencias al comparar al grupo de peso normal y sobrepeso. Conclusiones: Al evaluar a los pacientes a través del cuestionario de calidad de vida se encontró una diferencia significativa en la afección de pacientes asmáticos obesos, sin embargo el sobrepeso no necesariamente afecto la calidad de vida (AU)