Altered compartmentalization of transforming growth factor-beta in asthmatic airways

作者：Magnan A; Retornaz F; Tsicopoulos A; Brisse J; VanPee D; Gossett P; Chamlian A; Tonnel AB; Vervloet D

来源：Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 1997, 27(4): 389-395.

• asthma
• TGF-beta
• bronchial epithelial cells
• inflammation
• mucosal immunity
• cytokines
• lung

Background Asthma is characterized by alterations of the bronchial epithelium associated with inflammatory cell infiltrates and sub-epithelial fibrosis. Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) is an anti-inflammatory and fibrosing cytokine normally present in bronchial epithelial cells and also potentially produced by inflammatory cells. Thus, TGF-beta could play a role in the asthmatic process, and its expression could be modified in asthmatic airways.
Objective To test this latter hypothesis, we studied the bronchial distribution of TGF-beta in asthmatic patients.
Methods TGF-beta 1, 2, 3 distribution was studied by immunohistochemistry in bronchial biopsies from 12 asthmatic patients and 10 non-asthmatic subjects.
Results Bronchial epithelial cells from asthmatics were negative or faintly positive while a bright staining was detected in these from non-asthmatics (P < 0.01). In both groups, when inflammatory cells were present beneath the basement membrane, they were stained by the anti-TGF-beta antibody.
Conclusion This study shows an altered compartimentalization of TGF-beta in asthma. (a) TGF-beta is scarse in asthmatic bronchial epithelial cells, which could favour the perennization of the bronchial inflammation, and (b) TGF-beta is present in inflammatory cells beneath the basement membrane, where it could be involved in the frequent sub-epithelial fibrosis.

• 出版日期1997-4