Aberrant expression of regulatory cytokine IL-35 and pattern recognition receptor NOD2 in patients with allergic asthma

Inflammation. 2015 Feb;38(1):348-60. doi: 10.1007/s10753-014-0038-4.

Abstract

We investigated the plasma concentration of the novel regulatory cytokine IL-35 and intracytosolic pattern recognition receptors nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors in granulocytes and explored their potential implication in disease severity monitoring of allergic asthma. The expression of circulating IL-35 and other pro-inflammatory mediators in asthmatic patients or control subjects were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The intracellular expressions of NOD1 and NOD2 in CCR3+ granulocytes were assessed using flow cytometry. Plasma concentrations of IL-35, IL-17A, basophil activation marker basogranulin, and eosinophilic airway inflammation biomarker periostin were significantly elevated in allergic asthmatic patients compared to non-atopic control subjects (all probability (p) <0.05). Both granulocyte markers exhibited significant and positive correlation with plasma IL-35 concentration in asthmatic patients (all p < 0.05). Significant positive correlation was also identified between plasma concentrations of IL-35 and periostin with disease severity score in asthmatic patients (both p < 0.05). The basophil activation allergenicity test was positive in allergic asthmatic patients but not in control subjects. Despite significantly elevated eosinophil count in allergic asthmatic patients, downregulation of NOD2 in CCR3+ granulocytes was observed in these patients (both p < 0.05). A negative correlation between plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor family member LIGHT and soluble herpesvirus entry mediator was observed in patients with elevated plasma concentration of IL-35 (p < 0.05). Aberrant expression of NOD2 in granulocytes may be contributed to the impaired innate immunity predisposing allergic asthma. IL-35 may serve as a potential surrogate biomarker for disease severity of allergic asthma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Asthma / diagnosis
  • Asthma / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Granulocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / diagnosis
  • Hypersensitivity / metabolism*
  • Immunity, Innate / physiology
  • Interleukins / biosynthesis*
  • Male
  • Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein / biosynthesis*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukins
  • NOD2 protein, human
  • Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein
  • interleukin-35, human