Korean J Med.  2001 Dec;61(6):623-633.

Expression of transforming growth factorbeta1 (TGFbeta1) and TGFbeta receptor II (R II) in airway mucosa of toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma: relationships with persistent asthmatic symptoms

• Lee SK
• Lee SM
• Hahm KB
• Yim HE
• Kim SS
• Nahm DH
• Park HS

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The underlying mechanism to explain the poor prognosis of TDI-induced asthma is unknown. We performed this study to evaluate the role of TGFbeta1 and its receptor, TFGbeta receptor II (RII) in TDI-induced asthma.
METHODS
We applied immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies to TGFbeta1 and RII in bronchial mucosa from 22 subjects with TDI-induced asthma (group I: 10 newly diagnosed, group II: 12 subjects with persistent asthma symptoms for more than 4 years after diagnosis) and 8 non-asthmatics undergoing pneumonectomy from lung tumor. The expression was analyzed in 4 areas of bronchial tissue-epithelium (EP), vascular endothelium (VE), smooth muscle (SM), mucous gland (MG). The grade of intensity was presented from 0 to 3. Subepithelial basement memberane (SBM) and submucosal extracellular matrix (SECM) thickness were measured using an image analyzer. Serum specific IgE and IgG antibody levels to TDI- human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate were detected by ELISA.
RESULTS
Grade of TGFbeta1 expression was significantly higher in EP, VE and SM in group II than those of group I of TDI-induced asthma (p<0.05 respectively), with significant difference in SM only in RII expression. SBM and SECM thickness of TDI-induced asthma were significantly higher than those of non-asthmatics (p<0.05, respectively), while there was no significant difference between group I and II (p>0.05). Significant correlations were noted between asthma duration after diagonsis and intensity of TGFbeta1 expression in EP, VE and SM (p<0.05, respectively), with no significant correlations with RII expression (p>0.05). TGF 1 expression was significantly higher in EP, VE and SM in subjects with specific IgG antibody to TDI-HSA than those without it (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that TGFbeta1 may contribute to develop persistent asthma symptoms in TDI-induced asthma.

Keyword

TDI induced asthma; TGF-beta-1; TGF receptor II; Asthma symptom

MeSH Terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal
Asthma*
Endothelium, Vascular
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Extracellular Matrix
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulin G
Immunohistochemistry
Lung
Mucous Membrane*
Muscle, Smooth
Pneumonectomy
Prognosis
Serum Albumin
Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate*
Toluene*
Transforming Growth Factor beta*
Transforming Growth Factor beta1
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulin G
Serum Albumin
Toluene
Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate
Transforming Growth Factor beta
Transforming Growth Factor beta1