Soluble CD93 as a Novel Biomarker in Asthma Exacerbation

Asthma research is shifting from studying symptoms and lung functions to the narrow-focus cellular profiles protein analysis, biomarkers, and genetic markers. The transmembrane glycoprotein CD93 is involved in endothelial cell migration, angiogenesis, leukocytes extravasation, apoptosis, innate immunity and inflammation. Relationships between the serum level of soluble CD93 (sCD93) and acute myocardial infarction/premature MI/inflammatory arthritis/skin sclerosis have recently been reported. We hypothesized that sCD93 would be elevated during the acute phase of asthma. We measured the serum level of sCD93 in 57 patients with asthma exacerbation and 57 age-and gender-matched healthy controls. Additionally, sCD93 was reassessed at the time of discharge from the hospital. Clinical characteristics and peak expiratory flow (PEF) of the patients were assessed. The primary outcome was the comparison of serum level of sCD93 between asthmatics and healthy subjects. The sCD93 values ranged from 128 to 789 ng/mL in asthmatics (345.83±115.81) and from 31 to 289 ng/mL in control subjects (169.46±62.43). The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P