Fungal Exposure and Low Levels of IL-10 in Patients with Sarcoidosis

• Published in: Pulmonary Medicine Vol. 2014; no. 2014; pp. 14 - 17
• Main Authors: Simčič, Saša, Salobir, Barbara, Ihan, Alojz, Stopinšek, Sanja, Terčelj, Marjeta, Rylander, Ragnar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Limiteds 01.01.2014; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; Hindawi Limited; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: beta-Glucans - analysis; beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases - analysis; Biopsy; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - chemistry; Case-Control Studies; Clinical Study; Complications and side effects; Cytokines; Development and progression; Disease; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental Microbiology; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Enzymes; Ethics; Female; Fungi; Fungi - immunology; Genetic aspects; Humans; Immune system; Inflammation; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-10 - blood; Lavage; Male; Middle Aged; Mycoses; Physiological aspects; Sarcoidosis; Sarcoidosis - blood; Sarcoidosis - immunology; Studies; Sweden; Slovenia; United States > US
• ISSN: 2090-1836; 2090-1844; 2090-1844
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/164565

Background and Objectives. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease with increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. Previous studies have shown a relation between the degree of granuloma infiltration and serum cytokine levels, except for interleukin- (IL-) 10. The aim of the study was to further investigate the serum levels of IL-10 in patients with sarcoidosis and relate them to fungal exposure in terms of the amount of fungi in the air of their homes and β-glucan in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Methods. Patients with sarcoidosis ( n = 71 ) and healthy controls ( n = 27 ) were enrolled. IL-10 was determined in serum. BAL was performed and the amount of β-glucan was measured. Domestic exposure to fungi was determined by measuring airborne β-N-acetylhexosaminidase (NAHA) in the bedrooms. Results. At high levels of fungal exposure (domestic fungal exposure and β-glucan in BAL), serum IL-10 values were lower than at low and intermediate exposure levels. Conclusion. The low serum IL-10 values at high fungal exposure suggest that fungal cell wall agents play a role in granuloma formation in sarcoidosis by inhibiting the secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.