[HTML][HTML] Anti-IL-5 treatment reduces deposition of ECM proteins in the bronchial subepithelial basement membrane of mild atopic asthmatics

P Flood-Page, A Menzies-Gow… - The Journal of …, 2003 - Am Soc Clin Investig
P Flood-Page, A Menzies-Gow, S Phipps, S Ying, A Wangoo, MS Ludwig, N Barnes
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2003Am Soc Clin Investig
Eosinophil-derived TGF-β has been implicated in remodeling events in asthma. We
hypothesized that reduction of bronchial mucosal eosinophils with anti–IL-5 would reduce
markers of airway remodeling. Bronchial biopsies were obtained before and after three
infusions of a humanized, anti–IL-5 monoclonal antibody (mepolizumab) in 24 atopic
asthmatics in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The thickness and
density of tenascin, lumican, and procollagen III in the reticular basement membrane (RBM) …
Eosinophil-derived TGF-β has been implicated in remodeling events in asthma. We hypothesized that reduction of bronchial mucosal eosinophils with anti–IL-5 would reduce markers of airway remodeling. Bronchial biopsies were obtained before and after three infusions of a humanized, anti–IL-5 monoclonal antibody (mepolizumab) in 24 atopic asthmatics in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The thickness and density of tenascin, lumican, and procollagen III in the reticular basement membrane (RBM) were quantified immunohistochemically by confocal microscopy. Expression of TGF-β1 mRNA by airway eosinophils was assessed by in situ hybridization, and TGF-β1 protein was measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid by ELISA. At baseline, airway eosinophil infiltration and ECM protein deposition was increased in the RBM of asthmatics compared with nonasthmatic controls. Treating asthmatics with anti–IL-5 antibody, which specifically decreased airway eosinophil numbers, significantly reduced the expression of tenascin, lumican, and procollagen III in the bronchial mucosal RBM when compared with placebo. In addition, anti–IL-5 treatment was associated with a significant reduction in the numbers and percentage of airway eosinophils expressing mRNA for TGF-β1 and the concentration of TGF-β1 in BAL fluid. Therefore eosinophils may contribute to tissue remodeling processes in asthma by regulating the deposition of ECM proteins.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation