Serum chemokines RANTES and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in Egyptian patients with atopic asthma: relationship to disease severity.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Asthma is a highly prevalent, complex inflammatory disease of the airways often associated with bronchial hyperreactivity and atopy. The chemokine RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T -cell expressed and secreted) is an important element for the chemotaxis at the site of allergic inflammation. This study aimed to assess the serum levels of the chemokines RANTES and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in Egyptian patients with atopic asthma and to evaluate their possible relation t the severity of airway obstruction.

METHODS

The study included 60 Egyptian patients with atopic asthma and 20 healthy volunteers. Serum levels of the chemokines RANTES and MCP-1 were measured. Total serum IgE level and absolute eosinophil counts were determined. The severity of airway obstruction was assessed using spirometric measurement (FEV(1)).

RESULTS

The serum levels of RANTES were significantly higher in all asthmatic patients than the controls (p <0.001). Moreover, RANTES levels were significantly increased in patients with moderate and severe asthma as compared to those with mild asthma (p <0.001). Serum RANTES correlated positively with absolute eosinophil counts and total serum IgE and negatively with FEV(1), whereas there was no significant correlation with serum MCP-1 in all asthmatic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum RANTES may be used as a useful noninvasive marker of airway obstruction and a potential diagnostic tool for monitoring asthma severity. In this regard, identification and blocking of this chemokine and/or its receptor may be a promising therapeutic approach to asthmatic patients.