Abstract
Background Coagulation Factor XIII (FXIII) plays an important role in wound healing by stabilizing fibrin clots and cross-linking extracellular matrix proteins. FXIII is expressed in cells of the monocyte/macrophage and dendritic cell lineages in response to type 2 cytokines. Objective We sought to determine the association between FXIII and asthma pathobiology. Methods We analyzed the expression of FXIII mRNA and protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage samples obtained before and after segmental allergen challenge from patients with mild asthma and in induced sputum samples collected from patients with mild-to-moderate and severe asthma. Results FXIII mRNA and protein levels were highly upregulated in bronchoalveolar cells and fluid after allergen challenge and mRNA levels correlated with protein levels. In sputum of asthmatic patients, FXIII expression was positively correlated with type 2 immune response and dendritic cell markers (CD209 and CD207). FXIII expression was also associated with increased airflow limitation (FEV1/forced vital capacity and residual volume/total lung capacity ratios) and greater reversibility to β-agonists. Conclusions FXIII expression was upregulated in the airways of asthmatic patients after allergen exposure. Expression in the sputum of asthmatic patients correlated with the type 2 immune response and airflow limitation. Excessive activity of FXIII could contribute to the pathophysiology of airway obstruction in asthmatic patients.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 767-773.e6 |
Journal | Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology |
Volume | 137 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1 2016 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Supported by Severe Asthma Research Program Grants R01 HL069116 and U10 HL109168 , Program Project Grant P01 HL088594, and Clinical and Translational Research Center Grants UL1 RR025011 and UL1 TR000427 from the National Institutes of Health .
Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Keywords
- Factor XIII
- IL-13
- air trapping
- airway obstruction
- allergy
- asthma
- eosinophils
- inflammation
- pulmonary function
- severe asthma