ISSN:
1398-9995
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Blood levels of inhaled corticosteroids are significantly lower than those measured in the lung, but their concentration could still have anti-inflammatory effects. To determine whether budesonide, at concentrations similar to those obtained in blood after drug inhalation (10 −9 M), could downregulate the allergen-induced activation of mononuclear cells, we studied 21 atopic patients, sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p). On blood mononuclear cells, isolated from these patients, incubated with Der p allergen extract and with or without budesonide, we evaluated: 1) the proliferative response of T cells; 2) the expression of two surface activation markers, the HLA-DR antigens and the interleukin (IL)-2 receptors; and 3) the release of cytokines known to modulate the allergic processes. Allergen-induced T-cell proliferation was associated with increased HLA-DR antigen and IL-2 receptor expression (P 〈 0.001), and with increased release of IL-2, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The addition of budesonide at the beginning of the cell cultures induced a dose-dependent inhibition of T-cell proliferation, still significant (P 〈 0.05) at the lowest concentrations tested (10 −9 and 10−10 M). A significant inhibitory effect on T-cell proliferation was also present when budesonide (10 −9 M) was added to the cell cultures 3 or 5 days after the beginning of the cell cultures. In addition, budesonide 10−9 M significantly decreased the expression of IL-2 receptors (P 〈 0.05), but not of HLA-DR antigens, and significantly reduced the release of IL-1β and GM-CSF (JP 〈 0.05), but not of IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α. Thus, the blood concentrations of budesonide, after drug inhalation, may exert some anti-inflammatory effect, downregulating both “local” (through the bronchial circulation) and “systemic” allergen-specific immune reactions.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1398-9995.1995.tb01169.x
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