VEGF serum concentration and irreversible bronchoconstriction in adult asthmatics

Abstract

Background. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic, heparin-binding glycoprotein playing an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases and disorders, including asthma. It has been reported that increased VEGF serum concentration is a biomarker of neovascularization, which could suggest that higher VEGF expression may be relevant to asthmatics with airway remodeling and irreversible bronchoconstriction. Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association between VEGF serum concentration and irreversible bronchoconstriction in adult patients with a diagnosis of asthma. Material and methods. This study involved 82 adult patients with asthma (42 persons with and 40 persons without irreversible bronchoconstriction) and 40 healthy adult controls. Vascular endothelial growth factor serum concentration was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Vascular endothelial growth factor serum concentration in patients with asthma was higher than in healthy controls (p = 0.0131), particularly in those from the subgroup of irreversible bronchoconstriction (p = 0.0133). The rising tendency was confirmed using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test that showed a significant difference (p = 0.0374) in VEGF values among the 3 groups examined: healthy controls (Me = 246.6 pg/mL), asthmatics with reversible bronchoconstriction (Me = 288.6 pg/mL) and asthmatics with irreversible bronchoconstriction (Me = 340.6 pg/mL). However, the direct comparison between the 2 asthmatics groups (reversible vs irreversible bronchoconstriction) did not show a statistically significant difference (p = 0.5521). Conclusions. Increased VEGF serum concentration is characteristic of patients with asthma, especially those with irreversible bronchoconstriction.

Therapeutic Potential of Ajwa Dates (Phoenix dactylifera) Extract in Prevention of Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Lung Injury through the Modulation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Cell Signalling Molecules

“…VEGF induced by allergic reaction, facilitates vascular remodeling as well as angiogenesis that is linked with airway remodeling [39]. The levels of VEGF have been shown to be increased in chronic lung diseases [40]. In accordance with previous findings [41], in the present study, an increase in levels of VEGF in B(a)P-induced lung injury rat models was noted, whereas VEGF levels were significantly decreased in the B(a)P + ADE-treated group.…”

Influence of vascular endothelial growth factor on neutrophil activation in asthmatics

“…What is more, Fortunati et al [ 22 ] compared the presence of markers on blood cells and tissue cells obtained from sputum and BAL and revealed that cells homing to the tissue under homeostatic conditions exhibit the same phenotype. In our previous study we have shown that an increased VEGF serum concentration is characteristic for patients with asthma, especially those with irreversible bronchoconstriction [ 23 ]. In other papers [ 24 , 25 ], matters of basophils VEGF-activation and the potential contribution of VEGF gene polymorphism to the spontaneous increase of eosinophils activity (priming) in patients with asthma were suggested.…”

Effects of Different Intervention Factors on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Induced Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Migration

“…Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes vascular endothelial cell proliferation, inducing angiogenesis and increasing microvascular permeability [ 8 ]. The VEGF level in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of asthma patients is higher than that of healthy controls, whereas VEGF overexpression in induced sputum and plasma correlates with disease severity [ 9 ]. VEGF induces vascular endothelial growth, participates in chronic airway inflammation and mucosal neovascularization, and negatively correlates with tracheal lumen diameter [ 10 ].…”