The increased number of very late activation antigen-4-positive cells correlates with eosinophils and severity of disease in the induced sputum of asthmatic patients

Background: Lymphocyte function associate-1 (LFA-1), macrophage antigen-1 (Mac-l), and very late activation antigen-4 (VLA-4) are involved in the infiltration of leukocytes into the tissues. Experimental models of allergic inflammation suggest that VLA-4 could determine the selective recruitment of eosinophils into the inflamed airways. Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the involvement of integrins in eosinophil recruitment in asthma. Methods: We evaluated by immunocytochemistry the expression of VLA-4 LFA-1, and Mac-1 and their relationship with inflammatory cells and severity of disease in the induced sputum of 20 mild to moderate atopic asthmatic subjects and in 8 healthy subjects. Results: The number of VLA-4+ cells is increased in asthmatic patients and VLA-4 is mainly localized on eosinophils. Furthermore, VLA-4+ cells are significantly related to eosinophils. In contrast, LFA-1 and Mac-1 cellular expressions do not differ between asthmatic and control subjects and are not related to any specific cell type. Eosinophils and VLA-4+ cells are significantly higher in moderately compared with mildly asthmatic patients (P < .01, P < .05) and with healthy control subjects (P < .0005, P < .001), Eosinophils and VLA-4+ cells are also higher in mildly asthmatic patients compared with control subjects (P < .001, P < .005). Conclusion: This is the first report demonstrating, by a noninvasive method in humans, that VLA-4+ cells are increased and correlate with the eosinophils in the induced sputum of atopic patients with mild to moderate asthma and that VLA-4 expression is related to the severity of disease.