Abstract
Background. Recent investigations suggest that neutrophils may play an important role in the late-phase allergen-induced inflammation in allergic airway diseases.
Aim. To evaluate neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in patients with allergic asthma and rhinitis challenged with inhaled D. pteronyssinus.
Methods. Twenty eight patients with allergic asthma and 27 with rhinitis, all sensitized to D. pteronyssinus, as well as 10 healthy subjects underwent bronchial challenge with D. pteronyssinus. Neutrophils from peripheral blood were isolated 24 h before as well as 7 h and 24 h after challenge. For chemotaxis analysis neutrophils were stimulated with interleukin-8, and for ROS analysis as well as for phagocytosis cells were stimulated with S. aureus bacteria. Neutrophil functions were analyzed flow cytometrically.
Results. Neutrophils chemotaxis and ROS production were increased, while phagocytosis was decreased 24 h before challenge in patient groups compared with healthy subjects (P<0.05). After challenge, neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis increased after 7 h and 24 h, when ROS production – only after 24 h. Bronchial allergen challenge had no influence for neutrophil functions in healthy subjects (P<0.05).
Conclusions. Results show that peripheral blood neutrophil activity is impaired in allergic asthma and rhinitis patients. D. pteronyssinus induced late-phase airway inflammation enhance their chemotaxis, phagocytosis and ROS production.
- © 2012 ERS
