Serum Surfactant Protein D is decreased by oral steroids in asthma but not COPD

Sputum eosinophilia predicts responses to oral steroids in asthma (Kupczyk, 2013). Oral prednisolone decreases airway submucosal tissue eosinophil and mast cell numbers and epithelial eosinophil accumulation, compared to placebo in asthma (Djukanovic, 1997). In severe asthma (high dose inhaled steroid therapy) peripheral airway eosinophil accumulation remains elevated (bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophil (Mackay, 2016)). The activation status of eosinophils in severe asthma is inversely related the BAL surfactant protein D (SP-D) concentrations. SP D is a component of innate immune defence against pathogens within the airways and regulates eosinophil activation. BAL SP-D concentrations are reduced in severe asthma with associated higher serum SP-D concentrations (Mackay, 2016). Serum SP-D may be a indirect biomarker for peripheral airway damage. Therefore, the impact of oral prednisolone on serum levels of SP-D in treatment-resistant severe asthma and COPD was investigated.SP-D was measured in adults with mild/moderate asthma (n = 18), severe asthma (n = 22) and COPD (n = 19) from the BIOAIR (Longitudinal Assessment of Clinical Course and Biomarkers in Severe Chronic Airway Disease) study. Blood was obtained at baseline and after a 2-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled oral steroid intervention of of prednisolone added to regular treatment (Kryczk et al., 2013).SP-D concentrations were decreased in serum from asthmatics (p< 0.01). Suggesting that the SP-D concentrat...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Monitoring Airway Disease Source Type: research