Decreased pulmonary levels of the anti-inflammatory Clara cell 16 kDa protein after induction of airway inflammation in asthmatics

The Clara cell 16 kDa protein (CC16) maps to an atopy-associated region of chromosome ii and has been ascribed an anti-inflammatory function. Using re verse-phase HPLC and Western blot analysis, we have evaluated the polypepti de pattern in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid retrieved from asthmatics, before and after induction of airway inflammation by low-dose allergen inh alation challenge. A prominent decrease of CC16 was seen after induction of inflammation, and a further CC16 decrease was observed in lavage fluid whe re surfactant had been removed. Reduced levels of pulmonary CC16 may cause loss of anti-inflammatory activity in the airways and contribute to the dev elopment of airway inflammation in asthma.