Sputum mast cell subtypes relate to eosinophilia and corticosteroid response in asthma

Gang Wang, Katherine J. Baines, Juan Juan Fu, Lisa G. Wood, Jodie L. Simpson, Vanessa M. McDonald, Douglas C. Cowan, D. Robin Taylor, Jan O. Cowan, Peter G. Gibson
European Respiratory Journal 2015; DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01098-2015

Abstract

Mast cells are a resident inflammatory cell of the airways, involved in both the innate and adaptive immune response. The relationship between mast cells and inflammatory phenotypes and treatment response of asthma is not clear.

Clinical characteristics of subjects with stable asthma (n=55), inflammatory cell counts and gene expression microarrays in induced sputum were analysed. Sputum mast cell subtypes were determined by molecular phenotyping based on expression of mast cell biomarkers (tryptase (TPSAB1), chymase (CMA1) and carboxypeptidase A3 (CPA3)). Effects of mast cell subtypes on steroid response were observed in a prospective cohort study (n=50).

MCT (n=18) and MCT/CPA3 (mRNA expression of TPSAB1 and CPA3; n=29) subtypes were identified, as well as a group without mast cell gene expression (n=8). The MCT/CPA3 subtype had elevated exhaled nitric oxide fraction, sputum eosinophils, bronchial sensitivity and reactivity, and poorer asthma control. This was accompanied by upregulation of 13 genes. Multivariable logistic regression identified CPA3 (OR 1.21, p=0.004) rather than TPSAB1 (OR 0.92, p=0.502) as a determinant of eosinophilic asthma. The MCT/CPA3 subtype had a better clinical response and reduced signature gene expression with corticosteroid treatment.

Sputum mast cell subtypes of asthma can be defined by a molecular phenotyping approach. The MCT/CPA3 subtype demonstrated increased bronchial sensitivity and reactivity, and signature gene expression, which was associated with airway eosinophilia and greater corticosteroid responsiveness.

Abstract

Mast cell subtypes detected in sputum relate to eosinophilic inflammation and treatment responsiveness in asthma http://ow.ly/UsEIE

Introduction

Asthma is now well recognised to be a heterogeneous disease, whether assessed using clinical factors, causative triggers, response to treatments or the types of inflammation present [1]. In terms of treatment response, the measurement of cellular patterns of inflammation using induced sputum samples has proven to be useful in identifying inflammatory phenotypes of asthma. We have previously described four distinct cellular subtypes of asthma based on the presence or absence of sputum granulocytes: eosinophilic asthma, eosinophilic asthma, mixed granulocytic asthma and paucigranulocytic asthma [2]. A simple classification provides for two categories: eosinophilic asthma and non-eosinophilic asthma. However, the underlying biology of asthma inflammatory phenotypes has not been fully characterised.

Mast cells are multifunctional, tissue-dwelling cells, believed to differentiate dependent on the tissue microenvironment where they reside. On the basis of their content of neutral serine proteases and metalloexopeptidases, they have been divided into two subtypes. One subset, designated MCTC, contains tryptase (TPSAB1), as well as chymase (CMA1), cathepsin G or carboxypeptidase (CPA3), whereas the other phenotype, designated MCT, contains only tryptase. The MCT subtype is typically found at mucosal surfaces such as the nasal and bronchial epithelium in rhinitis and asthma, respectively, and the bronchial lamina propria in both health and disease [3]. The MCTC subtype, however, favours connective tissues such as normal skin and the airway smooth muscle bundles in asthma [4, 5]. Recently, real-time quantitative (q) PCR has been successfully used to characterise mast cell subtypes. An intraepithelial mast cell subtype was identified in asthma that had an unusual protease phenotype (tryptase- and carboxypeptidase A3-high, and chymase-low), was increased in subjects with T-helper (Th) 2-high asthma and predicted responsiveness to inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) [6]. In severe asthma, the MCTC subtype was found to dominate [7].

Although there has been compelling evidence that human mast cells contribute to the pathophysiology of asthma [8] and some recent studies have suggested that mast cells play an important role in asthma, especially in uncontrolled and severe asthma [7, 9], little is known regarding the presence and activity of mast cells in the airway lumen across asthma inflammatory phenotypes [10]. Since mast cell phenotype is modified by the tissue microenvironment, mast cell phenotype differences should be present in eosinophilic asthma or non-eosinophilic asthma. Whether these changes can be identified in the airway lumen and whether they have different steroid responses in asthma need to be addressed. In this study, we hypothesised that mast cell subtypes of asthma and the related gene expression profiles would associate with inflammatory phenotypes, and that mast cell subtypes would predict clinical asthma outcomes, including steroid response. Some of the results have been previously reported in the form of an abstract [11].

Methods

Subjects

Study 1 assessed mast cell gene expression in adults with stable asthma (n=55) that were recruited from the John Hunter Hospital Ambulatory Care Clinic, Newcastle, Australia. The microarray data had been previously generated, and transcriptional asthma phenotypes defined and published [12]. Asthma was diagnosed according to American Thoracic Society guidelines. Healthy subjects (n=16) were recruited by advertisement. Exclusion criteria were current smoking, the presence of a recent (past month) respiratory tract infection, recent asthma exacerbation, recent unstable asthma or change in maintenance therapy in the past 4 weeks. Asthma control was assessed using the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). Exhaled nitric oxide fraction (FeNO) (NIOX®; Aerocrine, Solna, Sweden) was measured and the skin-prick test was performed.

Study 2 assessed ICS treatment response in a subset of 49 asthmatics with predominately eosinophilic asthma or non-eosinophilic asthma (neutrophilic inflammation was rare in this population), assessed before and after treatment (1000 µg fluticasone·day–1 for 28 days) as previously published [13]. The studies were approved by the relevant institutional ethics committees: The University of Newcastle Research Ethics Committee (Study 1) and the Lower South Regional Ethics Committee of New Zealand (Study 2). The ICS response study (ACTRN12606000531516) was conducted to obtain run-in data for two larger clinical trials where establishing inflammatory phenotype and steroid responsiveness were prerequisites.

Hypertonic saline challenge test, and bronchial sensitivity and reactivity indices

Sputum induction combined with hypertonic saline challenge was performed as previously described, delivering doubling doses of nebulised 4.5% saline without β-agonist pre-treatment [2, 14–16]. Details are available in the online supplementary material. Analyses for bronchial sensitivity and reactivity indices were undertaken by using dose–response slope (DRS) and the continuous index of responsiveness (CIR) previously described [17] (full details are available in the online supplementary material).

Sputum analysis and asthma subtype classification

Sputum analysis was performed as previously described [2, 18]. Details are available in the online supplementary material.

Whole-genome gene expression microarrays and identification of mast cell subtypes

Microarray analyses in induced sputum samples were performed as our previous study [19]. More details are included in the online supplementary material. Mast cell subtypes, such as non-MC, MCT and MCT/CPA3, were identified by a molecular phenotyping approach, which was based on whether the mRNA expression of TPSAB1, CMA1 or CPA3 was present in microarray analysis of induced sputum at p<0.01 detection value [6, 7].

qPCR validation

qPCR was carried out by using TaqMan reagents (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) and previously reported [20]. Details are provided in the online supplementary material.

Clinical validation

A prospective 1-month ICS response study was undertaken (previously reported in [13]) to validate the relationship between mast cell subtypes and inflammatory phenotypes and steroid response. Gene expression of mast cell markers was determined in 49 participants who had remaining RNA samples available. Mast cell groups were determined by qPCR detection of tryptase and CPA3 mRNA (cycle threshold (Ct) <37, plus ΔCt versus β-actin <8). The MCT group had detection of tryptase and not CPA3, and the MCT/CPA3 group had detection of both markers.

Statistical analysis

All statistical analyses for clinical and cell count data, whole-genome gene expression data, and multiple logistic regression models are described in detail in the online supplementary material.

Results

Mast cell subtype grouping and differentially expressed genes between mast cell subtypes

The microarray analysis of induced sputum found that all detection p-values for CMA1 mRNA expression were >0.01, indicating CMA1 expression was not detectable. Thus, mRNA expression of TPSAB1 and CPA3 at the p<0.01 detection level defined mast cell subtypes into MCT if TPSAB1 was detected (n=18), and MCT/CPA3 if both TPSAB1 and CPA3 were detected (n=29). In addition, there was a non-MC group (n=8) where neither TPSAB1 nor CPA3 were detected. Healthy subjects had a greater proportion of the non-MC group, and participants with asthma had a higher proportion of the MCT/CPA3 subtype (Chi-squared=6.44, p=0.04).

There were 16 genes that were significantly different (adjusted p<0.05) in expression between the three mast cell subtypes (figure 1a and online supplementary table E1). All 16 genes were differentially expressed in MCT/CPA3 versus the non-MC group (15 upregulated, one downregulated), 12 genes were differentially expressed between MCT/CPA3 and MCT subtypes (11 upregulated, one downregulated), and two genes were upregulated between the MCT subtype and the non-MC group. Expression of 11 genes was significantly higher in the MCT/CPA3 subtype compared with both the MCT subtype and the non-MC group (figure 1b).

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1

Differential gene expression between mast cell subtypes as determined by microarray analysis. a) Heatmap dendrogram of the 16 differentially expressed genes between healthy subjects and mast cell subtypes (non-MC group, MCT/CPA3 and MCT) of asthma in induced sputum, with red representing a higher level of gene expression and blue representing a lower level of gene expression. b) Venn diagram detailing the numbers and overlap of differentially expressed genes between mast cell subtypes.

Gene expression of TPSAB1, CPA3, CMA1, HDC, CD1A, CD1B, CD1C, FCER1A and GPR56 was confirmed using qPCR, and was highly correlated with the microarray results (data not shown). Chymase gene expression remained undetectable and all gene expression was higher in the MCT/CPA3 subtype (figure 2). Differential gene expression was correlated with a number of clinical and inflammatory parameters (online supplementary table E2).

FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2

Sputum expression of mast cell signature genes in healthy controls and mast cell subtypes of asthma measured by quantitative PCR: a) TPSAB1, b) CPA3, c) HDC, d) CD1A, e) CD1B, f) CD1C, g) FCER1A and h) GPR56. Data are presented as fold change (median and upper/lower quartile (error bars)) versus the mean of the healthy control group.

Clinical features, inflammatory cells, and bronchial sensitivity and reactivity indices across mast cell subtypes

Characteristics of participants with asthma and healthy subjects are shown in table 1. In asthmatic subjects, the MCT/CPA3 subtype had elevated FeNO and ACQ score, as well as a different sputum inflammatory cell profile (table 1 and figure 3a–f). There was a higher proportion of eosinophilic asthma in the MCT/CPA3 subtype (59.26%) in comparison with the non-MC group (0%) and MCT (25.93%) subtype (p<0.001; figure 3g). Gene expression of TPSAB1 was elevated in eosinophilic asthma versus paucigranulocytic asthma (p<0.001; figure 3h), and gene expression of CPA3 was elevated in eosinophilic asthma versus neutrophilic asthma (p=0.013) and paucigranulocytic asthma (p<0.001; figure 3i).

FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3

a–f) Sputum inflammatory cells in healthy subjects and mast cell subtypes of asthma (median and upper quartile (error bar)), g) cellular phenotypes in mast cell subtypes, and h, i) mRNA expression of mast cell markers as determined by quantitative PCR (TPSAB1 and CPA3, respectively) (fold change versus the mean of the healthy control group) in inflammatory phenotypes of asthma in induced sputum. EA: eosinophilic asthma; NA: neutrophilic asthma; MGA: mixed granulocytic asthma; PGA: paucigranulocytic asthma.

View this table:
TABLE 1

Characteristics of healthy and asthma subjects grouped by mast cell subtype

Table 2 presents the bronchial sensitivity and reactivity indices in mast cell subtypes. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) had fallen by ≥15% from the post-diluent baseline value in 28 of 55 patients with asthma during the hypertonic saline challenge test and this was similar across the mast cell groups (Chi-squared=5.28, p=0.071). Although patients in the MCT/CPA3 subtype had the lowest provocative dose of 4.5% hypertonic saline causing a 15% fall in FEV1 (PD15 4.5% saline) among three subtypes, this failed to reach statistical significance (p=0.176). Asthmatics with the MCT/CPA3 subtype had an increased DRS and CIR compared with the other two groups (p=0.01 and p=0.025, respectively).

View this table:
TABLE 2

Bronchial sensitivity and reactivity indices in subjects with asthma

Relationship of mast cell subtype with asthma control levels, airway obstruction and ICS use

In subjects with uncontrolled asthma (ACQ score >0.75), there was a greater proportion of the MCT/CPA3 subtype (72.7%) and smaller proportion of the non-MC group (0.0%) compared with 37.9% and 24.1%, respectively, in well-controlled asthma (ACQ score ≤0.75) (p=0.014). Furthermore, mRNA expression of CPA3 was higher in uncontrolled asthma (controlled asthma 0.90 (interquartile range (IQR) 0.08–2.63) versus uncontrolled asthma 2.01 (0.47–14.72), p=0.047). CPA3 expression also correlated with bronchial sensitivity indices (online supplementary table E2).

Whether mast cell subtypes varied with asthma severity assessed by Global Initiative for Asthma guideline criteria [21] was also analysed. The mRNA expression of TPSAB1 was increased in severe asthma in comparison with mild-to-moderate asthma (4.07 (IQR 1.27–7.6) versus 0.71 (IQR 0.33–2.38), p=0.045). There was no significant difference in TPSAB1 and CPA3 mRNA expression in participants taking ICS versus those not taking ICS.

TPSAB1 and CPA3 correlated with airway sensitivity and with airway obstruction (online supplementary table E2). In patients with FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) <70%, TPSAB1 and CPA3 mRNA was much higher than those with FEV1/FVC ≥70% (2.61 (IQR 0.47–6.39) versus 0.61 (IQR 0.18–1.95), p=0.017; and 2.28 (IQR 0.50–15.96) versus 0.86 (IQR 0.08–2.55), p=0.015, respectively).

Multivariable logistic regression

In the initial univariate analyses, atopy, body mass index (BMI), FeNO, FEV1 % predicted (% pred), DRS, TPSAB1 and CPA3 were associated with airway eosinophilia. Both FeNO (OR 1.01, p=0.041) and CPA3 (OR 1.17, p=0.018) were significant predictors of eosinophilic asthma after controlling for atopy, BMI, FEV1 % pred, ACQ score, ICS dose, DRS and TPSAB1 (online supplementary table E3). Furthermore, although both MCT (OR 1.21, p=0.04) and MCT/CPA3 (OR 1.99, p<0.001) subtypes predicted eosinophilic asthma, the MCT/CPA3 subtype was superior (OR 1.35, p=0.044 (figure 4). In a model of predictions of mast cell subtypes, ICS use was a negative predictor of MCT/CPA3 subtype (OR 0.99, p=0.016) and asthmatic subjects with the MCT/CPA3 subtype had poorer asthma control (OR 1.28, p=0.008; online supplementary table E3).

FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4

Forest plot of mast cell subtypes in predicting eosinophilic asthma.

Clinical validation and ICS response

30 patients were of the MCT subtype and 19 patients were of the MCT/CPA3 subtype. In the MCT subtype, 16 (53%) subjects had eosinophilic asthma; in the MCT/CPA3 subtype, 15 (79%) subjects had eosinophilic asthma. CPA3 mRNA expression had significantly increased odds ratio (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.08–1.5), p=0.005) in predicting eosinophilic asthma after adjusting for TPSAB1, ACQ score, FEV1, provocative dose of AMP causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20 AMP) and FeNO.

The ICS response (1000 µg fluticasone for 28 days) was assessed in terms of ΔACQ score, ΔFEV1 % pred, ΔPD20 AMP and ΔFeNO. The MCT/CPA3 subtype was compared with subjects with the MCT subtype (table 3). The MCT/CPA3 subtype predicted a greater change in ACQ score, FEV1 % pred and FeNO (table 3).

View this table:
TABLE 3

Inhaled corticosteroid response after 28 days of therapy in three mast cell subtypes

Accordingly, the gene expression profiles were significantly altered between mast cell subtypes, where the expression of TPSAB1, CPA3, FCER1A, GPR56, CLC and DNASE1L3 was higher in the MCT/CPA3 compared with the MCT subtype (figure 5). ICS treatment did not alter gene expression in the MCT subtype, except for FCER1A expression, but dramatically downregulated gene expression of CPA3, FCER1A, CLC and DNASE1L3 in the MCT/CPA3 subtype (figure 5). GPR56 expression was not responsive to ICS treatment and CD1C expression did not differ in this cohort (data not shown). Relationships between gene expression in mast cell subtypes and clinical outcomes are detailed in online supplementary table E3.

FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5

Expression of selected signature genes (measured by quantitative PCR) of mast cell subtypes in induced sputum cells before and after inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment: a) TPSAB1, b) CPA3, c) FCER1A, d) GPR56, e) CLC and f) DNASE1L3. Data are presented as fold change (median and upper quartile (error bar)) versus the mean of all samples before ICS treatment. #: Dunn's post hoc test p<0.05 versus the non-MC group; : Dunn's post hoc test p<0.05 versus the MCT subtype.

Discussion

The results of this study, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, provide evidence for the subtype and differential gene expression profile of mast cells in induced sputum of asthma. Subjects with asthma had increased biomarkers of mast cells compared with healthy controls and could be classified into specific mast cell subtypes based on a molecular phenotyping approach. The MCT/CPA3 subtype had similar demographic and clinical characteristics to the MCT subtype and non-MC group; however, there was an increase in FeNO, sputum eosinophil counts and proportion, bronchial sensitivity and reactivity, and worse asthma control. Furthermore, the MCT/CPA3 subtype had a differential gene expression profile, with elevated expression of several genes, including CD1A, CD1B, CD1C, CEBPE, CLC, CLEC4F, DNASE1L3, GPR56, FCER1A, CACNG6, HDC and LTC4S. In addition, the MCT/CPA3 subtype was associated with eosinophilic asthma rather than other cellular inflammatory phenotypes (neutrophilic asthma, mixed granulocytic asthma or paucigranulocytic asthma). Multivariate logistic regression models and the further clinical validation study strongly suggested that CPA3, or the MCT/CPA3 subtype, is associated with underlying pathobiology of airway eosinophilia or eosinophilic asthma, either as a cause or a consequence and predicts responsiveness to corticosteroids, with improvements in bronchodilation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR).

In general, mast cell subtype is assessed by a standard immunohistochemistry (IHC) approach. However, this limits the study of airway luminal mast cells because mast cells are rarely detectable in induced sputum [2, 16]. Recent studies have highlighted the potential for molecular phenotyping of mast cells based on gene expression of mast cell proteases [6, 7]. We used this approach in this study and mast cell subtype classification was based on whether the mRNA expression of TPSAB1, CMA1 or CPA3 was present in induced sputum. Unexpectedly, mRNA expression of CMA1 was below the limits of detection in our sputum samples. This has been observed previously [6, 7, 10] and we could confirm the existence of a different mast cell subtype in asthma, with expression of CPA3. Thus, MCT/CPA3 as a nomenclature, for the first time, was used in this study.

Our study also identified 15 differential genes that were upregulated in the MCT/CPA3 subtype asthma. Those genes related to pathogenic characteristics of the MCT/CPA3 subtype can be classified into several kinds. First, there are mast cell-specific biomarkers such as TPSAB1 and CPA3, and their expression was related to clinical parameters. Those mast cells also had increased expression of some genes, e.g. HDC and LTC4S, which are known to induce eosinophil recruitment. FcεRI receptors play an important role in allergen-induced mediator release and antigen presentation by mast cells. FCER1A encodes a ligand-binding subunit of the high-affinity IgE receptor and is a major susceptibility locus for serum IgE levels [22]. Rajakulasingam et al. [23] found allergen provocation in asthmatics resulted in increased mRNA expression of FCER1A predominantly on airway eosinophils. Second, CEBPE and CLC are related to eosinophils. CEBPE, as the CCAAT enhancer binding protein, has been shown to be essential for the transcriptional regulation of the eosinophil granulocyte gene, the major basic protein [24]. CLC, expressing Charcot–Leyden crystal protein, is an important eosinophil product. Third, we observed increased expression of some genes expressed on macrophages and dendritic cells that are involved in antigen presentation. Human group 1 CD1 molecules (CD1A, CD1B, CD1C) mediate presentation of microbial lipid and glycolipid antigens to T-cells. These CD1 molecules differentially sample distinct endocytic compartments that may contain different sets of lipid antigens derived from intracellular microbes and activate antigen-specific T-cells [25]. CLEC4F and CLEC10A, as C-type lectins, may play an important role in modulating glycolipid presentation in macrophages [26]. Fourth, we identified upregulation of other genes, such as CACNG6, GPR56 and DNASE1L3, that are less explored in asthma. Variants of CACNG6 might be associated with the risk of aspirin-intolerant asthma [27]. GPR56, as an orphan G protein-coupled receptor, has been studied more in melanoma and brain malformation, but not airway inflammation [28]. However, Peng et al. [29] recently found GPR56 expression is a common trait of human cytotoxic lymphocytes and might affect the migratory properties of these cells, thereby contributing to Th2-mediated airway inflammation [30]. We have recently identified a biomarker signature of CPA3, CLC and DNASE1L3 that discriminated eosinophilic asthma from other asthma inflammatory phenotypes [20].

In this study, we assessed AHR using the indirect-acting stimulus of hypertonic saline that has previously been related to intraepithelial mast cell numbers [31]. Patients with the MCT/CPA3 subtype had increased DRS and CIR. A small sample size could account for the lack of statistical significance in PD15 4.5% saline. Brightling et al. [5] proved that the presence of mast cells within the airway smooth muscle could contribute to the development of AHR and that 83% of the mast cells in airway smooth muscle were of the MCTC subtype.

The effects of ICS on the MCTC subtype in published studies remain controversial [32–34]. While our cross-sectional study did not find a difference in mast cell biomarkers between subjects who were using and those not using ICS, a multivariate logistic regression model indicated that higher ICS dose was associated with lower mast cells, suggesting that ICS reduces the numbers of MCT/CPA3. Our further 28-day cohort study indicated that the MCT/CPA3 subtype had a greater response to ICS with changes in ACQ score, FEV1 % pred, PD20 AMP and FeNO, as well as downregulation of our mast cell signature genes. Expression of TPSAB2 and CPA3 has been previously identified as increased in Th2-high asthma, being associated with interleukin (IL)-4, -13 and -5 gene expression in sputum [35]. Dougherty et al. [6] also showed the MCTC subtype in the airway epithelium predicted ICS response in Th2-driven asthma. However, Balzar et al. [7] found that in these more severe corticosteroid-treated groups, a consistent shift in the MCT population toward the MCTC subtype occurs. In addition, they also showed low gene expression of chymase; however, they did confirm a correlation between chymase-positive and CPA3-positive mast cells using IHC [7]. Corticosteroid insensitivity related to the MCTC or MCT/CPA3 subtype needs to be further explored [36, 37].

Our study has some limitations. First, although differential gene expression profiling between mast cell subtypes was found, some genes, e.g. CD1B, CD1C, CLEC4F, CLEC10A, CACNG6, DNASE1L3 and GPR56, cannot be explained in mast cell subtypes or airway eosinophilia. Cross-talk between mast cells and other cells such as macrophages, natural killer cells and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes might involve activation of these genes. Second, IHC as a classical approach for assessing mast cell subtypes was not applied in this study because of the mast cell paucity in induced sputum. Therefore, there is a possibility that these results reflect the level of mast cells in the sputum samples rather than true mast cell subtypes and higher tryptase expression in the MCT/CPA3 may support this hypothesis, which should be further investigated in future studies. However, we consider our molecular assessment of mast cell gene expression detection using qPCR to be superior as we can measure expression in a larger sample volume (using 100 µl of sputum plugs, as opposed to dispersed cells), the assays are controlled for observer error and are highly specific for mast cell genes, and the technique is not subject to cell loss (unlike IHC for sputum). Subtype classification was determined by detection of mRNA, not the level of expression, suggesting the presence of different phenotypes of mast cells, some which have very higher levels of CPA3 expression. Third, in our prospective clinical validation study, there were no subjects with neutrophilic asthma at baseline and so the analysis regarding ICS response was performed in non-eosinophilic asthma, but not neutrophilic asthma. The effect of mast cell subtypes on response of ICS in neutrophilic asthma will need further investigation. Fourth, the sample size was small in our prospective clinical validation study and so we did not have enough power to fully understand the effects of ICS on the MCT/CPA3 subtype.

Conclusions

In conclusion, mast cell subtypes of asthma in induced sputum have been established by a molecular phenotyping approach, in which the MCT/CPA3 subtype was the most common and associated with differential gene expression, increased bronchial sensitivity and reactivity, eosinophilic inflammation, and greater ICS responses. These findings provide further evidence for the important role that mast cells play in human asthma, as well as for the identification of new noncorticosteroid therapeutic targets.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge technical support from Naomi Fibbens and Lakshitha Gunawardhana, and clinical support from Kelly Steel and Calida Garside from the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute (Australia).

Footnotes

  • This article has supplementary material available from erj.ersjournals.com

  • Support statement: This study was partly supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (81241002 and 81370122), Sichuan Youth Science and Technology Foundation (2010JQ0008), Youth Science Funding of Sichuan University (2011SCU04B17) and Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University, China (NCET-12-0380), and by the Hunter Medical Research Institute (G1001054), and the National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1045371). Funding information for this article has been deposited with FundRef.

  • Conflict of interest: Disclosures can be found alongside the online version of this article at erj.ersjournals.com

  • Received August 6, 2015.
  • Accepted October 31, 2015.

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Sputum mast cell subtypes relate to eosinophilia and corticosteroid response in asthma
Gang Wang, Katherine J. Baines, Juan Juan Fu, Lisa G. Wood, Jodie L. Simpson, Vanessa M. McDonald, Douglas C. Cowan, D. Robin Taylor, Jan O. Cowan, Peter G. Gibson
European Respiratory Journal Dec 2015, ERJ-01098-2015; DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01098-2015
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