INHALED BECLOMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE DOWN-REGULATES CD4 AND CD8 T-LYMPHOCYTE ACTIVATION IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD OF PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA

Background: Previous studies demonstrated a downregulation of T-lympho cyte (CD3(+) cells) activation in peripheral blood after treatment wit h inhaled corticosteroids in patients with asthma. Objective: This stu dy was carried out to evaluate the effect of inhaled corticosteroids o n CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocyte activation, respectively. Methods: We exami ned the expression of three surface activation markers (CD25, HLA-DR, and very late activation antigen 1) on circulating CD4(+) and CD8(+) T -cell subsets in subjects with asthma (n = 23) before and 8 weeks afte r treatment with inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate dry powder (daily dose, 800 mu g). Results: Beclomethasone dipropionate treatment had a marked effect in reducing the expression of the activation marker CD2 5 (p < 0.01) in both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell subsets in peripheral bl ood of patients with asthma. However, no correlation was found between the downregulation of CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocyte activation and the imp rovement in physiologic indices of disease activity. Conclusions: Thes e data add to the view that CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes in periphe ral blood of patients with asthma are in an activated state that is do wnregulated by inhaled corticosteroids.