Evaluation of Th17-related cytokines and IFN production from blood mononuclear cells of moderate and severe asthmatic children reveals methylprednisolone does not decrease IL-22 levels

• Published in: The Journal of asthma 2015-04, Vol.52 (3), p.227-231
• Main Authors: Sarinho, Emanuel Sávio Cavalcanti, Azoubel-Antunes, Adriana, Rêgo, Moacyr Jesus Barreto de Melo, Brayner-Cavalcanti, Mariana, Lins e Lins, Thiago Ubiratan, Pitta, Ivan Da Rocha, Pitta, Maíra Galdino Da Rocha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0277-0903; 1532-4303
• DOI: 10.3109/02770903.2014.959129

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to correlate IL-6, IL-17A, IFN , and IL-22 production with asthma disease severity and to evaluate if methylprednisolone downregulated cytokine production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods: Forty-two children with chronic persistent asthma and 34 non-asthmatic children were selected. Cytokines were quantified by ELISA from serum or PBMCs supernatants, after the PMA and Ionomycin stimulation, with or without methylprednisolone at 100 µM. Results: Our data showed undetectable levels of serum cytokines in most patients and controls. In the PBMCs, we have observed a higher production of IL-17A than IL-22 among asthmatics and controls, although it is not statistically significant. IL-6, IFN , and IL-17A levels were significantly reduced after methylprednisolone treatment (p = 0.02, 0.03, and 0.03, respectively) in Severe Persistent Asthma (SPA) and in Moderate Persistent Asthma (MPA), (p = 0.007, 0.01, and 0.007, respectively). However, IL-22 levels were unaffected (SPA, p = 0.12 and MPA, p = 0.93). Conclusion: Methylprednisolone downregulated IL-6, IL17A, and IFN , but not IL-22, in stimulated PBMCs from asthmatic children indicating that methylprednisolone has no effect on IL-22 production by PBMCs.