Korean J Pediatr.  2006 Feb;49(2):192-197. 10.3345/kjp.2006.49.2.192.

The significance of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in children with asthma and pneumonia

• Choi SH
• Shim JY
• Yoo MH
• Kim DS
• Shim JW
• Jung HL
• Park MS

• KMID: 1966613
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2006.49.2.192

Abstract

PURPOSE: Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) is a key cytokine for controlling vascular permeability and angiogenesis, which is one of the major findings in airway remodeling. However, it is not well known if it is associated with acute lower respiratory tract disease such as lobar pneumonia. The aim of this study is to compare serum VEGF levels in patients with asthma according to its severity and duration of cough, and to compare its levels with children with lobar pneumonia.
METHODS
Using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the serum VEGF levels were measured in 16 mild asthmatics, 14 moderate to severe asthmatics, six children with lobar pneumonia, and 22 control subjects. The asthmatics were also classified into three groups according to the duration of cough. Serum VEGF levels were compared in each group.
RESULTS
Serum VEGF levels were significantly increased in the children with moderate to severe asthma and lobar pneumonia compared to the children with mild asthma and control subjects. Serum VEGF levels were higher in children with chronic coughs of more than two weeks than in children with coughs lasting less than two weeks. Serum levels of VEGF showed positive correlations with blood platelet and white blood cell counts.
CONCLUSION
VEGF increased according to the severity of asthma and duration of cough in children with asthma. It may play an important role not only in chronic airway inflammation, but also in the acute inflammation in children with lower respiratory tract disease.

Keyword

Asthma; VEGF; Pneumonia; Cough; Airway inflammation

MeSH Terms

Airway Remodeling
Asthma*
Blood Platelets
Capillary Permeability
Child*
Cough
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Humans
Inflammation
Leukocyte Count
Pneumonia*
Respiratory Tract Diseases
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A