TSLP as biomarker in asthma patients

Introduction: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelial-cell–derived cytokine that is produced in response to proinflammatory stimuli, leading to inflammation driven by type 2 helper T (Th2) cells. TSLP thus may contribute to the mechanisms of airway remodelling in asthma and represent a potential targets for biologic asthma treatment. Aims and objectives: The aim of our study was to find out whether there is a difference in serum concentrations of TSLP in asthma patients, COPD and healthy controls. Methods: We analysed serum TSLP concentrations in 41 stable asthmatic patients, 24 COPD (12 stable and 12 during exacerbation) and 14 healthy controls. We used ELISA test for TSLP analyse. Results: Asthma patients have significantly higher systemic TSLP concentrations (median 203 pg/ml) comparing to patients with COPD (median 34 pg/ml; p=0.0022) and comparing to healthy controls (median 44 pg/ml, p=0.0012). There was no difference between stable and exacerbated COPD patients. Conclusions: TSLP is an asthma biomarker and might represent an immunological tool in differential diagnosis in obstructive lung disease. Further studies are needed see if there are any differences between patient with different asthma severity and/or phenotypes.