Association of interleukin-8 with inflammatory and innate immune components in bronchoalveolar lavage of children with chronic respiratory diseases.

BACKGROUND

The host inflammatory response and innate immunity play a complex role in respiratory diseases.

METHODS

We evaluated the levels of inflammatory mediators and antibacterial proteins in children who required bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for clinical indications such as chronic tracheostomy (n=15) and chronic suppurative lung disease (n=8).

RESULTS

Our results suggested the presence of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-8 as major inflammatory mediators in BALF samples. The level of the antibacterial protein sIgA was higher than lactoferrin and lysozyme. BALF IL-8 levels significantly correlated with the presence of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-16, sIgA and lysozyme. BALF IL-8 levels did not correlate with the levels of immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory clara cell 10 kDa protein (CC10) or lactoferrin.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that patients with high levels of BALF IL-8 could potentially have high levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-16, lysozyme and sIgA. Evaluating the inflammatory mediators (IL-8) in relation to other BALF protein components provides insight into understanding the role of inflammatory mediators in the regulation of host defense and the response to lung inflammation and injury.