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Increased Expression of Interleukin-9 Messenger RNA After Segmental Allergen Challenge in Allergic Asthmatics^*

^* From the Fraunhofer Institute of Toxicology and Aerosol Research (Drs. Erpenbeck, Braun, and Krug), Hannover; and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Mr. Discher, Mr. Krentel, and Ms. Hagenberg), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.

Correspondence to: Veit J. Erpenbeck, Nikolai-Fuchs-Strasse 1a, D-30625 Hannover, Germany; e-mail: erpenbeck{at}ita.fraunhofer.de

Cytokine production by T cells and eosinophils plays a major role in allergic asthma. Both cell types produce interleukin (IL)-9, which belongs to the group of T-helper type 2 cytokines comprising IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. It shares genetic as well as functional similarities with these cytokines and may therefore contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic disorders such as bronchial asthma. To investigate the relevance of IL-9 for the formation of the allergic response, we measured the expression of IL-9 messenger RNA of cells obtained from BAL before and 24 h after segmental allergen and saline solution challenge of 10 subjects with mild asthma and 5 healthy control subjects. Following processing of cells, messenger RNA expression of IL-9 and porphobilinogen deaminase as a housekeeping gene was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction with the Lightcycler (Roche Diagnostics; Mannheim, Germany). Relative quantification of IL-9 messenger RNA was performed vs the housekeeping gene porphobilinogen deaminase.

There was an increased expression of IL-9 messenger RNA after segmental allergen provocation in asthmatics (p < 0.01). This difference did not occur after saline solution provocation or after allergen provocation of healthy control subjects. The increase of IL-9 messenger RNA expression after allergen provocation in asthmatics points to the importance of this cytokine for the pathophysiologic changes in allergic diseases.

	Footnotes

 
Abbreviation: IL = interleukin

Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft grant Kr1405/2-2.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Free Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Personal Article Archive Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Erpenbeck, V. J. Articles by Krug, N. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Erpenbeck, V. J. Articles by Krug, N.