Research Article | Open Access
Abeer Thaher Naji AL-Hasnawi
Medical Microbiology Department, College of Medicine, University of Kerbala, Iraq.
J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2021;15(2):845-850 | Article Number: 6935
https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.15.2.39 | © The Author(s). 2021
Received: 12/03/2021 | Accepted: 27/05/2021 | Published: 01/06/2021
Abstract

The roles of interleukin 25 (a member of the interleukin 17 family) and interleukin 33 (a member of the interleukin 1 family) in asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness are yet to be fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of IL- 25 and IL- 33 in the diagnosis of pediatric asthma and their association with severity and treatment of the disease. This was a case-control study comprising 74 children with asthma as the patient group and 75 healthy children as the control group. The age of the participants ranged from 1 to 15 years. Levels of IL- 25 and IL- 33 in the serum were measured using ELISA kits. The highest positive predictive values (88.9%) occurred in IL- 25 with sensitivity and specificity of about 97.3% and 88.0% respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of IL- 33 were about 51.4% and 66.0% respectively, with a positive predictive value of about (60.3%). The present study thus found that IL- 25 had higher diagnostic sensitivity and specificity values than IL- 33 in children with asthma. In addition, both interleukins were found to have a statistical significance regarding treatment of the disease in children.

Keywords

Pediatric asthma, IL-25 and IL-33, Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction

Asthma is a disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways. This inflammation is distinguished by recurrent events of breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness and coughing in the early morning or during the night in susceptible individuals. Several types of cells and cellular elements are associated with this disease and play an important role in its pathogenesis; these include T lymphocytes, neutrophils, epithelial cells, eosinophils and mast cells1. The risk factors of asthma are associated with the interactions between environmental and genetic factors. Approximately hundreds of genetic variants are correlated with an elevated risk of asthma disease2.

Several viral infections are also considered as risk factors for developing asthma3. A study demonstrated that viral infections are associated with the chronic inflammation of airways and exacerbation of asthma in children and adults23. Stable and acute exacerbations of asthma are also associated with bacterial infections, while the contribution of fungal infection to asthma is not clear. In addition, the exposure to airborne environmental factors like pollutants and tobacco smoke increases the risk of asthma3.

Exposure to environmental and genetic factors, in addition to the alterations in the microbiome and metabolites, are associated with the emergence of lower airway inflammation4. The type 2 inflammation, observed in most patients with asthma, is associated with type 2 T helper cells. Specific cytokines such as interleukins 4, 5 and 14, and some inflammatory cells and IgE immunoglobulin are also associated with Type 2 inflammation, which is usually found in allergic diseases and eosinophilic disorders5. Moreover, type 2 inflammation can be regulated by epithelial cells of the airway through some cytokines such as interleukins 25 and 33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin5. Both IL- 25 and IL- 33 are responsible for stimulating the group 2 innate lymphoid cells that participate in the initiation of type 2 immune response6.

IL- 25 directly stimulates eosinophils via upregulating the expression of ICAM-I, this leads to the production of several proinflammatory chemokines like macrophage inflammatory protein-1,monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and interleukins 6 and 8 and ultimately delays apoptosis7. The expression of IL- 25 was found to increase in the bronchial asthma and also in the patients with eczema8. The expression of IL-25 and its receptor that induced by allergen correlated with the disease severity, in atopic asthma as well9.

Furthermore, there is significant evidence connecting the effects of tobacco smoke exposure to reduced immune function, resulting in an imbalance in responses of both Th1 and Th2 cells and, consequently, an increase in susceptibility to allergic diseases20. A study found that reduction in the number of Th1 adenoidal lymphocytes (IFN-γ-CD8+) in children was related to passive smoke exposure, leading to recurrent respiratory infections21. The anti IgE omalizumab drug represents the major recommended treatment of severe asthma22.

Materials and Methods

This case-control study was carried out at an outpatients clinic of asthma in the Kerbala Teaching Hospital for Children from September 2019 to December 2019. All the children included in this study were diagnosed according to medical history and clinical examination and also according to the criteria of the American Thoracic Society for asthma10.

Ethical approval for the study was acquired from the College of Medicine, University of Kerbala, Medical Research Bioethical Committee. Verbal approval was also taken from the parents of the children before obtaining samples. Written consent was waived by the parents because verbal consent was sufficient, according to the parents’ opinion.

From a total of 149 participants in this study, 74 children (56 boys and 18 girls represented the patient group with an age rang of 1-15 years, and 75 healthy children represented the control group with the same sex and age distribution as the patient group but with no history of allergies, asthma or inflammatory diseases. Patients with inflammatory conditions other than asthma were excluded from this study. The stages of asthma severity were diagnosed as per the NAEPP/ EPR 3 guidelines11 by the specialist pediatricians.

From each participants about 5 cc of venous blood was taken. Serum sample was separated and stored in deep freeze at -20°C until analyzed. Levels of interleukins 25 and 33 were assessed with commercial ELISA kits (CUSABIO) with catalog numbers CSB-E11715h and CSB-E13000h, respectively, by the using quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique.

Statistical analyses
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS: version 20, IBM, Chicago, IL, USA) program was used for data entry and analysis. Non parametric tests, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test, were used for the comparison of the mean and standard error of interleukins with the socio-demographic data in the patient group. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic utility of interleukins as estimated by the area under the curve. Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity in association with positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for the patients relative to the healthy controls. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

The differences in the concentration of IL- 25 and IL- 33 according to sociodemographic and clinical variables in the patient group are demonstrated in Table-1. There are significant differences in the level of IL-25 according to type of treatment and higher concentration was found among patients receiving montelukaste (P < 0.029), Meanwhile the same significant difference was reported in the level of IL-33 according to type of treatment, highest readings of IL-33 was showed among patients with corticosteroids (P < 0.002). The variable of asthma family history also showed a notable statistical significance (P < 0.013) with regard to the concentration of IL-33.

Fig. 1. ROC curves for optimal cutoff points at which IL-25 and IL-33 discriminate asthmatic patients from non asthmatic controls.

ROC curve analysis of IL-25 and IL-33 showed cutoff values of ≥ 1.6350 and ≥ 1.3100, respectively.The sensitivity and specificity of IL-25 and IL-33 in association with PPVs and NPVs are listed in Table-2.

DISCUSSION

The present study revealed that IL- 25 was more sensitive than IL-33 in the diagnosis of asthma. One study showed increased IL-25 expression in the mucosa of patients with bronchial asthma and in the skin of patients with eczema13.

Table (1):
Differences in the concentration of IL-25 and IL-33 according to different sociodemographic and clinical variables among asthmatic group

Variable N Interlukin-25 Interleukin-33
Mean ±SE P value Mean ±SE P value
Gender Male 56 167.50±40.28 0.112 1.30±0.06 0.198
Female 18 295.27±69.60 1.08±0.11
Eczema Positive 8 25.32±15.33 0.081 1.16±0.05 0.383
Negative 66 172.96±38.43 1.26±0.06
Allergic Positive 40 163.23±41.92 0.965 1.26±0.08 0.879
rhinitis Negative 34 149.68±57.88 1.24±0.07
Allergic Positive 20 167.06±62.24 0.933 1.39±0.08 0.33
conjunctivitis Negative 54 149.94±41.89 1.20±0.06
Family history of eczema Positive 16 49.05±18.55 0.247 1.31±0.12 0.617
Negative 58 186.78±43.25 1.23±0.06
Family history of asthma Positive 50 138.68±40.38 0.945 1.15±0.06 0.013*
Negative 24 195.17±66.71 1.45±0.07
Family history of rhinitis Positive 58 188.38±43.30 0.293 1.26±0.06 0.599
Negative 16 43.26±13.02 1.20±0.10
Family history of smoking Positive 34 107.61±35.58 0.447 1.23±0.07 0.845
Negative 40 198.98±56.22 1.27±0.08
Aggravating by flu Positive 50 167.24±45.94 0.229 1.29±0.06 0.392
Negative 24 135.68±48.87 1.17±0.10
Aggravating by dust Positive 40 200.38±60.65 0.602 1.31±0.07 0.501
Negative 34 105.96±23.17 1.18±0.08
Treatment Montelukaste 30 217.36±71.45 0.029* 1.46±0.08 0.002**
Corticosteroid# 4 1.77±0.14 1.50±0.09
Mixed 2 1.77±0.00 1.33±0.00
No treatment 38 133.86±35.67 1.05±0.06
Severity Mild 62 166.07±40.88 0.196 1.27±0.06 0.217
Moderate 12 110.12±34.06 1.41±0.13

significant p- value, ** highly significant p- value, # inhaled corticosteroid
SE=standered error of the mean, P=probability value

 

Another study found that cigarette smoke was responsible for stimulating the airway epithelial cells for the production of thymic stromal lymphopoetin (TSLP) and, consequently, the dendritic cells that activate the polarization of Th214. The epithelial cells in the airway are the major exporters of IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP, which act upstream of the cytokines of Th2 that include interleukins 4, 5 and 13 and thus activate the immune response type of Th215. Therefore, cigarette smoke is considered to be a powerful and prime factor for airway inflammation, brought about by increased the TSLP production14. The inflammatory process and bronchoconstriction can be inhibited using montelukast16. Other studies also found that montelukast add-on therapy to the inhaled corticosteroids enabled effective control of persistent asthma17,18.

Table (2):
Sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive value for IL-25, and IL-33.

Variable
Cutoff value
Sensitivity
Specificity
PPV
NPV
IL-25 pg/ml
≥ 1.6350
97.3%
88.0%
88.9%
97.1%
IL-33 pg/ml
≥ 1.3100
51.4%
66.0%
60.3%
58.1%

A study reported the association between elevated of IL-25 expression due to allergen exposure in patients with asthma and the disease severity8. According to the ROC analysis, this study revealed a low sensitivity and specificity of IL- 25 in the differentiation between patients with and without asthma. These results are inconsistent with that of the present study that revealed a high diagnostic sensitivity of IL-25 and also a non significant relationship between IL-25 serum level and severity of disease. Another study reported high sensitivity (93.5%) and specificity (60.0 %) of IL- 25 in the diagnosis of airway hyperresponsiveness and this result is compatible with the results of our study19.

To conclude, this study highlights the need for more cellular and molecular investigations and extensive studies to recognize the role of interleukins 25 and 33 in pediatric asthma, which could improve the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this disease.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that IL-25 shows higher diagnostic sensitivity and specificity than IL-33; therefore, IL-25 represents a significant marker for the diagnosis of pediatric asthma.

Declarations

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am thankful to the Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Kerbala University, Iraq for their collaboration in the achievement of the work.

FUNDING
None.

ETHICS STATEMENT
Not applicable.

AVAILABILITY OF DATA
All datasets generated or analyzed during this study are included in the manuscript.

References
  1. Mims JW. Asthma: definitions and pathophysiology. International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology. 2015;5(S1):52-56.
  2. Holloway JW, Yang IA, Holgate ST. Genetics of allergic disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010;125(2 Suppl 2):S81-S94.
    Crossref
  3. Harb H, Renz H. Update on epigenetics in allergic disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015;135: 15-24.
    Crossref
  4. Bunyavanich S, Schadt EE. Systems biology of asthma and allergic diseases: a multiscale approach. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015;135:31-42.
    Crossref
  5. Fahy JV. Type 2 inflammation in asthma present in most, absent in many. Nat Rev Immunol. 2015;15:57-65.
    Crossref
  6. Saenz SA, Siracusa MC, Perrigoue JG, et al. IL25 elicits a multipotent progenitor cell population that promotes T(H)2 cytokine responses. Nature. 2010; 464: 1362-1366.
    Crossref
  7. Tang W, Smith SG, Salter B, et al. Allergen-Induced Increases in Interleukin-25 and Interleukin-25 Receptor Expression in Mature Eosinophils from Atopic Asthmatics. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2016; 170:234-242.
    Crossref
  8. Paplinska-Goryca M, Grabczak EM, Dabrowska M, et al. Sputum interleukin-25 correlates with asthma severity: a preliminary study. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology. 2018;35(5):462-469.
    Crossref
  9. Corrigan CJ, Wang W, Meng Q, et al. Allergen-induced expression of IL-25 and IL-25 receptor in atopic asthmatic airways and late-phase cutaneous responses. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;128:116-124.
    Crossref
  10. Kian FC, Sally EW, Jan LB, et al. International ERS/ATS guidelines on definition, evaluation and treatment of severe asthma. European Respiratory Journal. 2014;43:343-373.
    Crossref
  11. Castro-Rodriguez JA. A new childhood asthma phenotype: Obese with early menarche. Paediatric Respiratory Reviews. 2016;18:85-89.
    Crossref
  12. Dharmage SC, Perret JL, Custovic A. Epidemiology of Asthma in Children and Adults. Front Pediatr. 2019;7:246.
    Crossref
  13. Wang YH, Angkasekwinai P, Lu N, et al. IL-25 augments type 2 immune responses by enhancing the expansion and functions of TSLP-DC-activated Th2 memory cells. J Exp Med. 2007;204:1837-1847.
    Crossref
  14. Strzelak A, Ratajczak A, Adamiec A, Feleszko W. Tobacco Smoke Induces and Alters Immune Responses in the Lung Triggering Inflammation, Allergy, Asthma and Other Lung Diseases: A Mechanistic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;5:1033.
    Crossref
  15. Lloyd CM,Saglani S. Epithelial cytokines and pulmonary allergic inflammation. Curr Opin Immunol. 2015;34:52-58.
    Crossref
  16. Ikram A, Kumar V, Taimur M, Khan MA, Fareed S, Barry HD. Role of Montelukast in Improving Quality of Life in Patients with Persistent Asthma. Cureus. 2019;11(6):e5046.
    Crossref
  17. Virchow JC, Mehta A, Ljungblad L, Mitfessel H. Add-on montelukast in inadequately controlled asthma patients in a 6-month open-label study: the MONtelukast In Chronic Asthma (MONICA) study. Respir Med. 2010;104:644-651.
    Crossref
  18. Bozek A, Warkocka-Szoltysek B, Filipowska-Gronska A,Jarzab J. Montelukast as an add-on therapy to inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of severe asthma in elderly patients. J Asthma. 2012;49:530-534.
    Crossref
  19. Chen F, Hong H, Sun Y, et al. Nasal interleukin 25 as a novel biomarker for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and airway hypersensitiveness: A pilot study. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2017;119(4):310-316.e2.
    Crossref
  20. Vanker A, Gie RP, Zar HJ. The association between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and childhood respiratory disease: a review. Expert Review of Rspiratory Mdicine. 2017;11(8): 661-673.
    Crossref
  21. Marseglia GL, Avanzini MA, Caimmi S, et al. Passive Exposure to Smoke Results in Defective Interferon-γ Production by Adenoids in Children With Recurrent Respiratory Infections. Journal of Interferon and Cytokine Research. 2009;29(8):427-432.
    Crossref
  22. Poddighe D, Brambilla I, Licari A, Marseglia GL. Omalizumab in the Therapy of Pediatric Asthma. Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery. 2018;12(2):103-109.
    Crossref
  23. Earl CS, An S, Ryan RP. The changing face of asthma and its relation with microbes. Trends in Microbiology. 2015;23(7):408-418.
    Crossref

Article Metrics

Article View: 1887

Share This Article

© The Author(s) 2021. Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License which permits unrestricted use, sharing, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.