Elevated CXCL14 in Induced Sputum Was Associated with Eosinophilic Inflammation and Airway Obstruction in Patients with Asthma

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> CXCL14 involved in inflammatory processes was upregulated in the asthma expression profile datasets in our pilot study. However, the expression of CXCL14 in induced sputum and its potential clinical role in asthma were poorly reported. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We sought to detect CXCL14 expression in airway epithelium and induced sputum cells of asthma and explore its potential clinical implications. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The expression of CXCL14 in asthma was analyzed using R software based on multiple microarray datasets, including GSE43696, GSE63142, GSE67940, and GSE76262. Subsequent verification of the CXCL14 expression pattern in induced sputum and bronchial epithelium cells was performed by qRT-PCR and ELISA. Besides, the correlations between CXCL14 and eosinophilic inflammation indicators (FeNO, EOS#, and IgE), Th2 signature genes (SERPINB2, POSTN, and CLCA1), inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-25, IL-33, TSLP, IL-8, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and IL-2), and airway obstruction indicators (pulmonary function and mucin secretion) were further explored. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The expression of CXCL14 in epithelium and sputum cells was upregulated in asthma and positively correlated with clinical eosinophilic indicators. The protein levels of CXCL14 were positively associated with Th2 signature genes (SERPINB2, POSTN, and CLCA1) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-25, IL-33, and TSLP). Increased expression of CXCL14 was also observed in BEAS-2B cells stimulated by the cytokine IL-4. Furthermore, the expression of CXCL14 was positively correlated with MUC5AC secretion and negatively associated with pulmonary function. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Upregulated CXCL14 in asthma was positively correlated with inflammatory indicators and negatively correlated with pulmonary function, which indicated that upregulated CXCL14 might act as a pathogenic gene through involvement in Th2 inflammation in asthma.

CDC167 exhibits potential as a biomarker for airway inflammation in asthma

“…In this study, we have identified four hub genes that are associated with asthma. Previous research has demonstrated that two of these genes, namely POSTN and SERPINB2, are considered T2 signature genes and have shown promise as potential biomarkers (Burgess et al 2021 ; Du et al 2022 ; Mo et al 2019 ). However, the functional roles of CCDC167 and SEC14L1 in the context of asthma have yet to be fully elucidated.…”

Integrated Network Pharmacology and Gut Microbiota Analysis to Explore the Mechanism of Sijunzi Decoction Involved in Alleviating Airway Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Asthma

“…Noticeably, the aforementioned signaling pathways are associated with inflammation and can promote the secretion and release of inflammatory mediators, which have a critical effect in the asthma pathogenesis. Abnormally high levels of inflammatory factors have been observed in the pathogenesis of asthma [ 40 ]. As important proinflammatory cytokines, IL-4 and IL-17, mediate the aggregation of eosinophils in the respiratory tract [ 41 ] and they also activate and stimulate the generation of immunoglobulin (Ig)E, which binds to mast cells and basophil surface receptors, triggering inflammation [ 42 ].…”