Interleukin 16 and CCL17/thymus and activation-regulated chemokine in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease

Abstract Background Interleukin (IL) 16 and thymus and activation-regulated cytokine (TARC) are chemoattractant cytokines for eosinophils and T H 2 cells. Differential levels of these components in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) and allergic rhinitis with asthma (ARwA) may be related to a different inflammatory response in both asthma phenotypes. Objective To assess the nasal lavage immunoreactivity of IL-16 and TARC cytokines. Methods We used multienzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to detect IL-5, IL-13, IL-16, IL-33, I-309/CCL1, TARC/CCL17, monocyte-derived chemokine/CCL22, periostin, and eosinophil cationic protein levels in nasal lavages from patients with AERD and patients with ARwA. Results The IL-13, IL-16, TARC, and periostin levels were significantly higher in patients with AERD compared with those of patients with ARwA. Correlation analysis of mediator levels in AERD revealed a possible role of IL-16 and TARC in eosinophil recruitment and activation. Conclusion IL-16, TARC, and periostin distinguish between patients with AERD and those with ARwA. These mediators, taken together rather than individually, may comprise good specific nasal markers in patients with AERD. The effects of IL-16 and TARC on T H 1, T H 2, and T-regulatory cell functions in AERD cannot be disregarded.