Nasal and bronchial airway epithelial cell mediator release in children

Objective The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that airway epithelial cell (AEC) mediator release is similar in upper and lower airway AEC in children. Methods Nasal and bronchial AEC were collected by brushings from children scheduled for general anesthetic. AEC release of the following mediators was measured: interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G‐CSF), regulated on activation, normal T‐cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metallo proteinase (MMP)‐9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)‐1. Results AEC were cultured in 34 children, mean age 7.3 years. Release of IL‐6, IL‐8, and G‐CSF was significantly higher in nasal compared with bronchial AEC but nasal and bronchial AEC release of other mediators was not significantly different. Treatment of AEC with IL‐1 β and tumor necrosis factor‐α increased secretion of all mediators. Release of IL‐6 and GSCF remained higher in nasal AEC compared with bronchial AEC following stimulation. Conclusions In epidemiological studies, nasal AEC may be a useful surrogate for bronchial AEC for the study of RANTES, MCP‐1, TIMP‐1, and MMP‐9 release in children but bronchial AEC will remain the gold standard. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012; 47:1215–1225. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.