The pattern of lower airway inflammation in asthma is heterogeneous, but in many patients, the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) is the predominant granulocyte infiltrating the airspaces. Although it is known to have an important function in innate immune defense, the role of the PMN in asthma has not been well elucidated. In work in progress, the investigators have identified the receptor for IL-5 on the surface of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) PMNs in a subset of children with severe, treatment-resistant asthma, a characteristic that is not found in peripheral blood neutrophils. While the function of this IL-5 receptor has yet to be determined, preliminary evidence strongly supports a mechanism linking neutrophilic with type 2 inflammation in the lower airways of children with asthma, a discovery that has exciting potential to modify the treatment of asthma. The primary objective of this observational cross-sectional study is to test the overall hypothesis that therapeutic intervention directed against the IL-5R on lung PMNs will decrease inflammation and improve clinical outcomes in patients with poorly controlled asthma. The secondary study objective is to demonstrate that IL-5R expression on lung-infiltrating PMNs is functional, will activate known IL-5R-induced signaling pathways, and will lead to enhanced PMN pro-inflammatory activity including increased PMN recruitment, prolonged survival, degranulation, and release of reactive oxygen species.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
72
A diagnostic bronchoscopy will be conducted for clinical indications in children referred to the University of Virginia Children's Hospital for evaluation of respiratory symptoms
University of Virginia Health System
Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
Percent neutrophils bearing surface markers for IL-5 Receptor
The percentage of neutrophils which bear surface markers for the IL5-R in lung fluid and peripheral blood will be compared in children with different asthma phenotypes
Time frame: 6+ months post bronchoscopy
In vitro analysis of IL-5 Receptor (IL-5 R) function: Signaling via the IL-5 R displayed on neutrophils from the BAL (and if necessary, peripheral blood) following ligand (IL-5) binding
This measure will assess the phosphorylation of STAT 5 and simultaneously phosphorylation of AKT (as a surrogate for activation of PI 3 kinase) following treatment of neutrophils with IL-5 (i.e. IL-5 R engagement). Engagement of the GM-CSF receptor on the neutrophils by its ligand will serve as a control for the capacity of neutrophils to undergo signal transduction in response to ligands. Additional control will be activation (phosphorylation) of STAT 5 on eosinophils responding to IL-5 (i.e IL-5 R engagement). This analysis will be carried out using flow cytometry to evaluate phosphorylation of the indicated signaling intermediates. This analysis will establish whether the IL-5 R on BAL neutrophils is functional (i.e. capable of transducing a signal following ligand binding).
Time frame: 48-72 hours post bronchoscopy
Measurement of neutrophil degranulation and inflammatory mediator production following IL-5 binding to its receptor on neutrophils isolated from the BAL
Neutrophil activation will assess the production of specific cytokines (e.g. TNFa) and chemokines (e.g. CXCL 10) as well as release of granule contents (e.g. lysozyme and proteases) following IL-5 R engagement. These functions will be assessed by ELISA. Analysis of this parameter will elucidate whether signaling through the IL-5 R results in classical activation of IL-5 R positive neutrophils, the result of which is enhanced injury and inflammation.
Time frame: 48-72 hours post bronchoscopy
Production of Reactive Oxygen Species following IL-5 R engagement
Reactive Oxygen Species will evaluate the generation of ROS by neutrophils following IL-5 R engagement in BAL neutrophils (and if appropriate neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood). This analysis will be carried out using colorimetric analysis of color change in neutrophils exposed to ROS sensitive dye. This analysis will determine if exposure to IL-5 results in ROS production by neutrophils and as a consequence the potential for increased tissue damage to the lungs.
Time frame: 48-72 hours post bronchoscopy
Measurement of neutrophil survival in culture upon IL-5 R engagement in vitro
Neutrophil survival will analyze the survival in culture of neutrophils isolated from the BAL following exposure to IL-5 in vitro. Apoptosis of neutrophils over time in culture will be evaluated by flow cytometry. This analysis will determine whether exposure of lung neutrophils to IL-5 will enhance their survival and therefore the potential of neutrophils activated in response to IL-5 to promote enhanced inflammation and injury.
Time frame: 48-72 hours post bronchoscopy
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