TY - JOUR T1 - Increased sputum IL-17 and neutrophils in asthmatic patients after climbing to extreme altitude JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - p3260 AU - Sven Seys AU - Marc Daenen AU - Lieven Dupont Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p3260.abstract N2 - Introduction: A group of 18 well-controlled asthmatic patients were evaluated before/during/after an expedition to the Aconcagua mountain (6900m).Methods: Symptoms, spirometry and FeNO values were obtained before, during and after the climb (up to 5600 m of altitude). Pre BD FEV1 was measured and cells from the lower airways were obtained by sputum induction before and after the expedition. mRNA was isolated, cDNA was prepared and RT-PCR was used to measure sputum mRNA quantities as described.Results: During the expedition there was a decrease in FEV1 and FVC which reached a maximum at altitude of 4300 m. The pre BD FEV1 (% predicted) was significantly decreased when measured after the climbing expedition as compared to baseline measurements before the expedition (6.6%, p=0.004). FeNO values were not different between the different time points (p=0.17). Decreased asthma control was observed after the expedition as assessed by asthma control questionnaire (p=0.002). Sputum neutrophil percentages were significantly higher after expedition compared to before the expedition (p=0.04). Concomitantly, sputum IL-17 mRNA was increased after the expedition as compared to before expedition (p=0.007). A correlation of serum Clara Cell protein 16 and sputum IL-17mRNA was found (Spearman r=0.57; p=0.008).Conclusion: Asthma patients have slightly worse lung function and asthma control after climbing to extreme altitude. Increased signs of neutrophilic inflammation were found in the airways as represented by higher sputum IL-17 mRNA and neutrophils. ER -