Atopic Asthma: T-Cell Response to Corticosteroids

Abstract

Atopic asthma is associated with diminished cell-mediated immunity and elevated levels of IgE, both of which may be caused by imbalances of T-lymphocyte subsets. We analyzed the response of peripheral blood T-cell subsets to two commonly used corticosteroid preparations as a probe of T-cell subset regulation. We administered prednisone (P) 60 mg or 20 mg, beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) aerosol, 336 micrograms, placebo, or BDP vehicle in a double-blind protocol to 15 atopic asthmatic patients and ten nonatopic subjects. No difference was found between the groups of the baseline number of T-cells with T4, T8, M1, and Ia antigens, nor the ratio of T4+ (helper) to T8+ (suppressor) cells. Five hours after administration of BDP aerosol, BDP vehicle, and oral placebo, there was no change of these values in either the atopic or in the nonatopic group. In contrast, P, 20 and 60 mg, caused a fall of T4/T8 ratio in the atopic, but not in the nonatopic population. Atopic asthma is not associated with baseline imbalances of peripheral blood T-cell subsets, but is associated with an abnormal response to systemic, but not inhaled corticosteroid.