Introduction: Even though IL-6 and MMP-9 are associated with airway inflammation in asthma, there is paucity of data in Indian population.
Objective: To determine the levels of IL-6 and MMP-9 in the serum of patients suffering from asthma, and correlate with (a) disease severity, as per GINA guidelines; (b) clinical phenotypes; and (c) response to treatment.
Methodology: The levels of IL-6 and MMP-9 were compared between moderate persistent asthma (n = 25), severe persistent asthma (n = 25) and normal controls (n = 30). IL-6 and MMP-9 were measured by ELISA (R&D Systems Inc., USA and Canada) and compared between controls and asthmatics and between groups of different asthma severity, clinical variables, spirometry, and allergen sensitization. Spirometry was repeated after 2 months of ICS+LABA to assess response to treatment in relation to baseline IL-6 and MMP-9 levels.
Results: We observed a significant difference in both IL-6 and MMP-9 levels among asthmatics versus controls (p < 0.001), moderate versus severe persistent asthma (p < 0.001). A significant negative correlation was observed between MMP-9 and pre-bronchodilator FEV1 and FVC, but not with IL-6. There was no association between IL-6 and MMP-9 with asthma duration, total IgE, AEC, number of allergens sensitized and degree of sensitization. No significant correlation (p > 0.5) was observed with IL-6 and MMP-9 levels and FEV1 improvement after 2 months of ICS+LABA.
Conclusion: Higher levels of IL-6 and MMP-9 were observed in asthmatics as compared to controls and in severe persistent asthma as compared to moderate persistent asthma, higher levels of MMP-9 was associated with lower lung functions.
Keywords: Asthma; IL-6; MMP-9; biomarkers; immunopathogenesis.