Changes in expressions of serum IL-13，TGF-β1，VEGF and their relationship with airway inflammation and remodeling in patients with asthma

Abstract:

Objective：To discuss whether serum interleukin-13（IL-13），transforming growth factor-β1（TGF-β1），vascular endothe－lial growth factor（VEGF） play a regulatory role in the pathogenesis of chronic air way inflammation and remodeling and to explore its possible way from the perspectives of cytokine. Methods：Totally 36 cases of acute asthma at oneset stage（20 cases of moderate to severe attack and 16 cases of mild attack），36 cases in remission and 36 healthy cases were enrolled. The venous blood was extracted at the elbow. ELISA was used to determine serum IL-13，TGF-β1 and VEGF level；lung function testing was performed on all patients and the results were statistically analyzed. Results：The expressions of serum IL-13，TGF-β1 and VEGF were positively correlated in patients with asthma. At the same time，the higher the serum concentrations of the above three indicators，the lower the forced expiratory volume in the 1st s（FEV1） and the ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity（FEV1/FVC%），indicating that asthma becoming more and more serious. The expressions of serum IL-13，TGF-β1 and VEGF were negatively correlated with FEV1 and FEV1/FVC%. Conclu－sions：The network imbalance of IL-13，TGF-β1 and VEGF is one of the main mechanisms for asthma onset. Mutual influence and promotion are found among the three indicators in chronic air way inflammation and remodeling. United detection of serum IL-13，TGF-β1 and VEGF is of great importance in judging disease severity and providing prognosis，auxiliary diagnosis and treatment for patients with asthma.