Asthma Atopic, Asthma Severe Persistent Uncontrolled
Conditions
Keywords
TSLP, asthma, airway epithelium
Brief summary
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation, leading to variable airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, excessive mucus secretion, and, consequently, structural airway remodeling. Asthma is defined by the presence of symptoms such as wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, and cough, with variable intensity and frequency. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine produced primarily by epithelial cells in the lungs. Two distinct isoforms of TSLP have been identified: a long form (lfTSLP) and a short form (sfTSLP). The long isoform is induced during inflammatory conditions and promotes a T2-dependent immune response. In contrast, the short isoform is believed to exert homeostatic and anti-inflammatory functions and exhibits antimicrobial properties. Studies have demonstrated an association between elevated serum and airway TSLP levels and increased disease severity, as well as reduced spirometric parameters. However, the literature contains limited data regarding the expression of TSLP isoforms across different asthma phenotypes and their relationship with the degree of disease control. The goal of this study is: 1. To assess the expression of TSLP protein and TSLP mRNA, including its isoforms (sfTSLP and lfTSLP), in serum and in airway-derived samples (nasal epithelial cells), 2. To compare these levels among patients with different asthma phenotypes (allergic and non-allergic asthma; eosinophilic, neutrophilic, and paucigranulocytic asthma; early-onset and late-onset asthma; obesity-associated asthma; cough-variant asthma), as well as between patients with asthma and healthy controls. 3. To analyze the correlations between the expression of TSLP isoforms (sfTSLP and lfTSLP) and asthma severity, level of disease control (as measured by the Asthma Control Questionnaire \[ACQ\]), pulmonary function parameters, blood eosinophil count and other clinical parameters.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTNo Intervention: Observational Cohort
This study is designed as a cross-sectional, observational investigation. No therapeutic or diagnostic interventions beyond routine clinical care will be introduced as part of the study. All procedures performed are limited to standard, minimally invasive sample collection and data acquisition for research purposes. Clinical management of participants will remain unchanged and will be conducted entirely at the discretion of the treating physicians. Participation in the study will not influence treatment decisions or patient care.
Sponsors
Medical University of Warsaw
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Inclusion criteria * age \> 18 years, without the upper age limit, * asthma (diagnosis in accordance with the GINA 2023 guidelines), 2.
Exclusion criteria
* other respiratory diseases (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease \[COPD\]); * active cigarette smoking or a smoking history of \>10 pack-years; * active malignancy; * active pulmonary tuberculosis or active respiratory tract infection; * use of antibiotics within 4 weeks prior to study enrollment; * current long-term home oxygen therapy (\>15 hours per day); * current treatment with monoclonal antibody therapies (e.g., omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, dupilumab, tezepelumab, or other biologics); * pregnancy.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TSLP mRNA expression, including the sfTSLP and lfTSLP isoforms in nasal epithelial cells and TSLP protein expression in blood and nasal epithelial cells | This is cross-sectional studies; blood and nasal epithelial cells (nasal swab) will be taken from each study participant at one study point - through study completion, an average of 2 years | The primary endpoint of the study is the quantitative assessment of TSLP protein expression and TSLP mRNA expression, including the sfTSLP and lfTSLP isoforms, in biological material obtained from serum and nasal epithelial cells. Peripheral venous blood samples will be collected and centrifuged to obtain serum, which will be aliquoted and stored at -80°C until analysis. Nasal epithelial cells will be collected using sterile cytology brushes. All biological samples will be processed promptly and stored under appropriate conditions prior to laboratory analysis. TSLP protein concentrations will be measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Measurements will be performed in duplicate, and optical density will be determined using a microplate reader. Concent |
Countries
Poland
Contacts
CONTACTIzabela Orzołek, MD
Outcome results
None listed