LATE-BREAKING ABSTRACT: The study of fibulin-1 as a novel biomarker in bronchial asthma and its association to disease severity

Abstract

Introduction: A key feature of asthmatic airways is remodeling. The fibulins are a family of proteins that are associated with basement membranes and elastic extracellular matrix fibers. Fibulin-1 (FBLN-1) assists in stabilizing the ECM which maintains airway function and structure by providing mechanical support in addition to constituting a dynamic and complex network that influences cellular function. The present study aimed at investigation of possible association between the fibulin-1 levels in asthmatic patients and its relation to asthma severity. Subjects: The study was carried out on forty five asthmatic patients and thirty control subjects age and sex- matched normal. Methods: All subjects included in the present study were subjected to: history taking, complete clinical examination, laboratory investigation and chest X-ray. Pulmonary function test and reversibility test. Serum samples from all studied patients and controls were taken for estimation of level of Fibulin-1Enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). All asthmatic patients will be examined with fibroptic bronchoscope and bronchalveolar lavage were taken for estimation of level of Fibulin-1 Results: It was found that fibulin-1 increased in serum of asthmatic patients than in controls with statistical significant difference (p<0.05) but there was no significant relation to asthma severity. It was found that fibulin-1 was increased in BAL of severe degree bronchial asthma than in mild and moderate degrees with statistical significant difference (p<0.05). Conclusion: This may highlight the potential role of fibulin-1 in airway wall remodeling.