Sputum tumour necrosis factor-α and leukotriene concentrations in cystic fibrosis

Greally, P., Hussein, M.J., Cook, A.J., Sampson, A.P., Piper, P.J. and Price, J.F. (1993) Sputum tumour necrosis factor-α and leukotriene concentrations in cystic fibrosis. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 68 (3), 389-392. (doi:10.1136/adc.68.3.389).

Abstract

It is postulated that a vigorous host inflammatory response in the cystic fibrosis lung contributes to lung injury. Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) may play a part in that process and in the generation of leukotrienes. Therefore, the relationships between sputum TNF-α, leukotriene concentration, and lung function abnormalities in 16 children with cystic fibrosis were investigated. Each subject provided sputum samples and performed spirometry. TNF-α was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; individual leukotrienes were separated using high performance liquid chromatography and quantified by radioimmunoassay. The geometric mean concentration of TNF-α was 129.7 pg/ml and 95% confidence interval 48.2 to 348.3. Mean (SEM) leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) was 97.8 (22.9) pmol/g and total cysteinyl leukotrienes were 60.9 (14.8) pmol/g. Mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) of the group was 53 (15)% of predicted and forced vital capacity (FVC) was 65 (14)% of predicted. There was a significant positive correlation between TNF-α and both LTB₄ and the total cysteinyl leukotriene sputum content. An inverse relationship existed between TNF-α and FEV₁ and FVC. Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between sputum LTB₄ and FEV₁ and FVC. These results suggest that TNF-α and the leukotrienes may participate in the airways inflammation and airflow obstruction observed in cystic fibrosis subjects and support the hypothesis that TNF-α. upregulates the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in vivo.

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Contributors

Author: A.P. Sampson

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