Cytokine release from the nasal mucosa and whole blood after experimental exposures to organic dusts

The aim of this study was to assess the cytokine response after nasal expos ure to organic dusts. In a double blinded, crossover study five garbage workers,vith occupational airway symptoms and five healthy garbage workers were intranasally exposed to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide LPS), beta-1,3-D-glucan (GLU), Aspergillu s sp,, compost or the saline dilute for 15 min, Nasal cavity volume and nas al lavage (NAL) were performed at baseline and 3, 6, 11 h postexposure. NAL was analysed,vith differential cell counts, cysteinyl-leukotrienes, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8, A whole blo od assay on cytokine-release was performed,vith LPS and GLU, NAL cytokines neutrophils, lymphocytes and albumin increased significantly at 6 h after LPS exposure. GLU induced an increase in albumin and a slight increase in IL-1 beta 6-11 h post exposure, In the WBA a significant increa se in all cytokines after exposure to LPS as well as GLU was found. Signifi cantly more cells were seen in NAL of the control group 6 h post LPS exposu re. In conclusion lipopolysaccharide is the most potent inducer of inflammation in the nasal mucosa whereas compost and beta-1,3-D-glucan only induce mino r changes. This reaction to lipopolysaccharide is attenuated in workers wit h occupational airway symptoms. In whole blood assay, however, beta-1,3-D-g lucan also induces cytokine release, indicating a different protective effe ct of the nasal mucosa towards lipo-polysaccharide and beta-1,3-D-glucan.