Identification of the major immune differences in severe asthmatic children according to their atopic dermatitis status

Abstract

Severe asthma (SA) affects 2% to 5% of asthmatic children. Atopic dermatitis can affect up to 34% of children with SA (cwSA). Atopic dermatitis and asthma share common genetic and immunological features. However, not all children with SA suffer from AD, and it remains unclear whether the overall immune profiles of these children are similar. In this study, seventeen cwSA (9.8 [7.1–13.2] years; seven with and ten without AD) were enrolled. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and blood samples were collected from these patients. Seventy-three cytokines/chemokines and distinct immune T cell populations were evaluated in blood and BAL. We found that BAL and blood immune profiles of cwSA with and without AD were globally similar. However, specific differences were observed, namely lower frequency of Tc2, Th17 and IL-17-producing mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT-17) cells and higher CD8/CD4 ratio and IL-22 concentrations in BAL and of CCL19 concentrations in plasma from cwSA with AD. Further, in contrast with cwSA without AD, we found a positive correlation between a set of plasma cytokines and almost all cytokines in BAL in cwSA with AD. In conclusion, this study shows the major immune differences between cwSA with and without AD in BAL and blood suggesting that distinct endotypes may be implicated in the inflammatory responses observed in these pediatric patients.