Effects of β2-adrenergic agonists on house dust mite-induced adhesion, superoxide anion generation, and degranulation of human eosinophils.

BACKGROUND

Even in subjects who are not sensitized to house dust mite (HDM), allergic symptoms can be clinically aggravated by exposure to dust. We previously reported that (), an important HDM, or Der f 1, a major allergen of , induced the effector functions of eosinophils, which may be an important mechanism for HDM-induced symptoms in nonsensitized patients. In a clinical setting, β2-adrenergic agonists, such as salbutamol and formoterol, are used for the treatment of asthma attacks or exacerbation to release the airway obstruction. Several reports have suggested that some β2-adrenergic agonists have an anti-inflammatory capacity.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated whether β2-adrenergic agonist could modify the - or Der f 1-induced activation of eosinophils.

METHODS

Blood eosinophils obtained from healthy donors were preincubated with either formoterol (1 μM), salbutamol (1 μM), or buffer control and then stimulated with extract (1 μg/mL) or Der f 1 (100 pg/mL). Eosinophil adhesion to intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 was measured using eosinophil peroxidase assays. Generation of superoxide anion (O ) was examined based on the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of cytochrome C. Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) concentrations in cell media were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Formoterol, but not salbutamol, suppressed the - or Der f 1-induced eosinophil adhesion to ICAM-1. Furthermore, formoterol, but not salbutamol, suppressed -induced O generation or EDN release. Neither formoterol nor salbutamol suppressed spontaneous eosinophil adhesion, O generation, or EDN release.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that formoterol, but not salbutamol, suppressed - or Der f 1-induced eosinophil activation when used at the same concentration. Therefore, formoterol could potentially be used for the treatment of bronchial asthma via both bronchodilation and anti-inflammatory effect.