Role of IL-1RL1/ST2 in infantile asthma

Abstract

Purpose Wheezing is the dominant pathological characteristic of asthma. It is estimated that 50% of all children have experienced wheezing at least once in their first six years of life. This study aimed to investigate initial wheezing attacks in pediatric patients and to determine connection between transient wheezing (TW) attacks and persistent wheezing (PW). Methods The immune responses of children who initially presented with wheezing attacks were studied. A total of 231 children with wheezing attacks at the time of admission were enrolled in the study. The study population consisted of 68 children with wheezing episodes. Children with recurrent wheezing who were introduced to inhaled steroids after 12 months were further grouped into either PW or TW groups. Results At the initial onset, cytokine analysis of the children revealed a marked increase in serum soluble and transmembrane forms of interleukin receptor-2 (ST2) in PW. In contrast, there were no changes in serum levels of IL-4, IL-13, and IL-33. The serum ST2 levels of the PW group were higher compared to those of the TW group. Moreover, a significant increase in ST2 expression was observed in PW children with recurrent wheezing attacks. Conclusion The present study demonstrated that ST2 might be a useful index for predicting the prognosis of infantile asthma. Hence, elucidation of the mechanism of ST2 expression in childhood allergic diseases is essential.