Vascular endothelial growth factor and cysteinyl leukotrienes in sputum supernatant of patients with asthma.

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered to be the most important angiogenic factor in asthma. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (Cyst-LTs) have been implicated in vascular permeability in asthma. Cyst-LTs receptor antagonists modulate vascular permeability by reducing VEGF expression.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the levels of VEGF and Cyst-LTs in sputum supernatants of patients with asthma and to investigate possible associations within them and with airway vascular permeability (AVP) index. Possible confounding factors were also assessed.

METHODS

One hundred twenty one patients with asthma (38 with severe refractory asthma, 41 smokers) and 30 healthy subjects (15 smokers) were studied. All subjects underwent lung function tests, and sputum induction for cell count identification and VEGF, Cyst-LTs, measurement in supernatants. AVP index was also assessed.

RESULTS

Both VEGF & Cyst-LTs (pg/ml) levels were significantly elevated in patients with asthma compared to normal subjects (median, interquartile ranges 845 [487-1034] vs. 432 (327-654) and 209 [171-296] vs. 92 [75-114] respectively, p < 0.001 for both). Multivariate regression analysis in the whole group showed a significant association of Cyst-LTs levels in sputum supernatants with VEGF levels in sputum supernatants and AVP index. A similar positive association was observed between VEGF levels in sputum supernatants and AVP index. The presence of Severe asthma was a significant covariate for both associations.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that Cyst-LTs may modulate vascular permeability by up-regulating VEGF expression. The above effect seems to be affected by asthma severity.