Angiopoietins 1 and 2 in sputum supernatant of optimally treated asthmatics: the effect of smoking. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Petta, Vasiliki; Bakakos, Petros; Tseliou, Eleni; Kostikas, Konstantinos; Simoes, Davina C. M.; Konstantellou, Elissavet; Hillas, Georgios; Koulouris, Nikolaos G.; Papiris, Spyros; Loukides, Stelios
• Is Part Of: European journal of clinical investigation. Volume 45:Number 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 56
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Pathology -- Periodicals; Medical research -- Periodicals; 616.075
• DOI: 10.1111/eci.12379
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-2972

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="eci12379-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="eci12379-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Angiopoietin‐1 (Ang‐1) is an essential mediator of angiogenesis by establishing vascular integrity, whereas angiopoietin‐2 (Ang‐2) acts as its natural inhibitor.</p> </sec> <sec id="eci12379-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>We aimed to determine the levels of angiopoietins in sputum supernatants of patients with optimally treated asthma and to investigate whether smoking represents a significant covariate on the above possible processes.</p> </sec> <sec id="eci12379-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Eighty‐seven patients with asthma (42 smokers) and 28 healthy subjects (14 smokers) were studied. All subjects underwent lung function tests, bronchial hyper‐responsiveness assessment and sputum induction for cell count identification and measurement of Ang‐1, Ang‐2, vascular endothelial growth factor, TGF‐β1, MMP‐2, IL‐13, Eosinophilic cationic protein and IL‐8 in supernatants. Airway vascular permeability (AVP) index was also assessed.</p> </sec> <sec id="eci12379-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Ang‐1 (ng/mL) levels were significantly higher in patients with asthma compared to normal subjects. Smoking significantly increased Ang‐1 levels [median, interquartile ranges 24 (13–37) in smoking asthmatics vs 10 (7–14) in nonsmoking asthmatics vs 5·3 (3·7–6·5) and 4·6 (3·8–5·7) in healthy smokers and nonsmokers, respectively, <italic>P</italic> < 0·001]. Similar results were observed for Ang‐2 (pg/mL) [168 (132–203) vs 124 (82–152) vs 94 (78–113) vs 100 (96–108), respectively, <italic>P</italic> < 0·001]. Regression analysis in the whole study population showed a significant negative association for Ang‐1, with AVP index, and MMP‐2. Smoking was a significant covariate for both Ang‐1 and Ang‐2 in asthmatic patients.</p> </sec> <sec id="eci12379-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Ang‐1 and Ang‐2 levels are upregulated in patients with optimally treated asthma. Our data support a possible role for smoking in the angiogenetic process in asthma.</p> </sec> </abstract>