CLINICAL-APPLICATION OF EOSINOPHILIC CATIONIC PROTEIN IN ASTHMA

Among the inflammatory cells involved in the pathogenesis of asthma, e osinophils have been recognized as highly significant participants in the late-phase of the inflammatory response. Bronchial challenge with allergen inducing inflammation and exacerbation of asthma results in a ctivation of eosinophils and release of specific eosinophil mediators, including eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). Recent studies have demo nstrated that activation of eosinophils and increase of their release of ECP occur in patients naturally exposed to allergen, and in patient s having inflammatory exacerbations of asthma, including development o f bronchial hyperreactivity. ECP is elevated during exacerbation of ex trinsic and intrinsic asthma in direct relationship to concomitant dec rease in pulmonary function and increasing asthma symptoms. The elevat ed serum levels of ECP decline subsequent to effective therapy. Monito ring modulation of ECP levels may be useful in evaluating the treatmen t of asthmatic patients and as a marker for the efficacy of therapy. S everal investigations have strongly suggested that serial determinatio n of ECP in asthmatics may be especially useful as an inflammatory cor relate to the mechanical abnormalities assessed by determination of pu lmonary function in asthmatic patients.