Elevated plasma OX40 ligand (OX40L)‎ in asthmatic children

Abstract EN

Background: OX40 Ligand (OX40L) and OX40 (CD134), a pair of cell surface molecules, belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/TNF receptor family.

Interaction of OX40L with its receptor OX40 is thought to be important in T cell activation through T cell/antigen-presenting cell interaction.

Aims: This study aimed to explore the contribution of OX40L in the development of TH2-dominateid allergen-induced childhood asthma in relation to disease activity and attack severity.

Methods: The concentration of OX40L in plasma was measured by ELISA in 32 children with atopic asthma (during and in-between acute attacks), as well as in 32 children without airway disease serving as controls.

Results: The median and mean [SD] plasma OX40L levels (1248 and 1017(841.5] pg/ml respectively) were significantly higher in asthmatic children during acute attacks in comparison to asthmatic children in-between attacks (670 and 704(434.5] pg/ml respectively) and in comparison to healthy controls (101 and 172.6(75.8] pg/ml respectively).

OX40L values were higher among children presented with acute severe than mild or moderate asthma exacerbations.

A positive correlation could be elicited between OX40L levels during exacerbations and the corresponding values during remission.

During acute asthmatic attacks plasma OX40L levels correlated negatively with the peak expiratory flow rate and positively with the absolute eosinophil count.

Plasma OX40L levels during exacerbations were significantly higher in children who demonstrated X-ray findings of hyperinflation and increased bronchovascular markings than in patients with normal chest X-ray.

Conclusion: Our findings reinforce the concept that up regulation of OX40L is implicated in the pathogenesis of pediatric atopic asthma and may represent a useful biomarker of monitoring allergic inflammation.

Targeting OX40L and blockade of OX40/OX40L interaction may represent an adjuvant towards immunological intervention in the treatment of severe allergic disorders..