Evaluation of angiopoietin 1 and 2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in asthmatic children

Abstract

Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation that is associated with structural changes termed airway remodeling. Recently, cytokines/mediators that augment inflammation have been attracting attention in this field. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha values, which have important roles in inflammation, angiogenesis, and remodeling in asthmatic children. We also documented correlations between demographic features, duration of asthma, and pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters. Randomly selected 40 children (20 male and 20 female children, aged 6-16 years) with mild or moderate persistent asthma and 32 healthy children (15 male and 17 female children, aged 6-16 years) enrolled in the study. All asthmatic children had been using inhaled corticosteroids at least for the last 3 months. Serum Ang-1 levels were significantly lower in asthmatic children than those in normal controls. The Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio was also significantly lower in asthmatic children compared with those in normal controls (p < 0.01). However, serum Ang-2, VEGF, and TNF-alpha levels were similar in the two groups. A significant positive correlation was found between VEGF and duration of asthma. No correlation between serum Ang-1, Ang-2, VEGF values, and PFT parameters was obtained. On the other hand, significant negative correlation was detected between serum TNF-alpha and forced expiratory volume in 1 second. We have shown that serum Ang-1 levels and Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio were significantly reduced and balance was toward Ang-2 in asthmatics children. This process may lead to inflammation, destabilization of blood vessels, and trigger remodeling.

Meta-analysis of antenatal infection and risk of asthma and eczema

“…[25] IL-8 levels were increased in children who developed wheezing illnesses in response to rhinovirus [26] ; in another cohort, individuals who wheezed with rhinovirus were at additional risk of persistent wheezing at follow up at age 3 years. [27] Fetal exposure to inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, is increased with chorioamnionitis and has been linked to chronic lung disease.…”

Angiopoietin-2 concentration in serum is associated with severe asthma phenotype

“…In an earlier study Angiopoietin-2 rather than Angiopoietin-1 was associated with asthma and Angiopoietin-1/Angiopoietin-2 ratio was positively correlated with lung function in adult asthma patients [ 16 ]. More recently, Angiopoietin-1 levels and Angiopoietin-1/Angiopoietin-2 ratio were shown to be reduced in children with asthma and no correlation of proangiogenic factors with respiratory function was found [ 23 ]. Interestingly, Angiopoietin-1 and Angiopoietin-2 levels were recently detected to be upregulated in the induced sputum from patients with optimally treated asthma, and seemed to be also related to the smoking status [ 22 ].…”

Tie2 Signaling Enhances Mast Cell Progenitor Adhesion to Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) through α4β1 Integrin

“…These reports suggest that serum Ang1 may stimulate MCps to enhance their migration across vascular ECs into inflamed tissues. However, this concept is controversial, because another study reported a decrease, rather than an increase, in the serum titer of Ang1 in asthmatic patients [ 45 ]. The expression of Ang2, another ligand of Tie2, had also been reported to increase in asthmatic lung [ 43 ].…”