Th17 response to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is related to late-phase airway and systemic inflammation in allergic asthma

•The percentage of Th17 cells and IL-17 levels were significantly higher in asthma.•Inhaled D. pteronyssinus enhances airway and systemic Th17 response in asthma.•Th17 response to inhaled D. pteronyssinus is related to the late-phase inflammation.

BackgroundTh17 cells may play a role in the development of late-phase allergen-induced airway and systemic inflammation in allergic asthma, although the mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated.MethodsA total of 36 subjects were enrolled into the study: 15 allergic asthma patients with early asthmatic reaction (n = 7) or dual asthmatic reaction (n = 8) developed to inhaled D. pteronyssinus, 13 patients with allergic rhinitis, and 8 healthy subjects. Peripheral blood and induced sputum were collected 24 h before as well as 7 h and 24 h after a bronchial challenge with D. pteronyssinus. Th17 cells were analyzed by FACS; IL-17 levels were determined by ELISA.ResultsAt baseline, the percentage of peripheral blood Th17 cells and serum and sputum IL-17 levels were significantly higher in all groups of studied patients compared with those of healthy subjects. After the bronchial challenge, there was a significant increase in the percentage of peripheral blood Th17 cells and in serum and sputum IL-17 levels in rhinitis and asthma patients compared with their baseline values, particularly in allergic asthma patients with the dual asthmatic reaction. Positive correlations were found between the percentage of Th17 cells and IL-17 levels in serum (Rs = 0.649; P = 0.009) as well in sputum (Rs = 0.583; P = 0.022) in allergic asthma patients 24 h after the bronchial challenge.ConclusionsThe Th17 response is associated with the development of late-phase airway and systemic inflammation after the inhalation of D. pteronyssinus in patients with allergic asthma.