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Journal article

Airway proteomics reveals broad residual anti-inflammatory effects of prednisolone in mepolizumab-treated asthma

Abstract:

Background

Mepolizumab is an anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) that reduces asthma exacerbations. Residual airway inflammation on mepolizumab may lead to persistent exacerbations. Oral corticosteroids remain the main treatment for these residual exacerbations.

Objective

Our study aimed to explore the corticosteroid-responsiveness of airway inflammation after mepolizumab treatment to find potentially treatable inflammatory mechanisms beyond the IL-5 pathway.

Method

The MAPLE trial was a multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of 2 weeks of high-dose oral prednisolone treatment at stable state in 27 patients treated with mepolizumab for SEA. We analysed paired sputum (n=16) and plasma (n=25) samples from the MAPLE trial using high-throughput Olink® proteomics. We also analysed additional sputum proteins using ELISA.

Results

In patients receiving mepolizumab, prednisolone significantly downregulated sputum proteins related to type-2 inflammation and chemotaxis including IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, CCL24, CCL26, EDN, CCL17, CCL22, OX40 receptor, FCER2, and the ST2 receptor. Prednisolone also downregulated cell adhesion molecules, prostaglandin synthases, mast cell tryptases, MMP1, MMP12, and neuroimmune mediators. Neutrophilic pathways were upregulated.
Type-2 proteins were also downregulated in plasma, combined with IL-12, IFN-γ, and IP-10. IL-10 and amphiregulin were upregulated.

Conclusion

At stable state, prednisolone has broad anti-inflammatory effects on top of mepolizumab. These effects are heterogeneous and may be clinically relevant in residual exacerbations.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1016/j.jaci.2024.07.020

Authors

More by this author
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDM
Sub department:
NDM Experimental Medicine
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDORMS
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDM
Sub department:
NDM Experimental Medicine
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0003-1741-9353


More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/029chgv08
Grant:
211050/Z/18/Z


Publisher:
Elsevier
Journal:
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology More from this journal
Volume:
154
Issue:
5
Pages:
1146-1158
Publication date:
2024-08-01
Acceptance date:
2024-07-15
DOI:
EISSN:
1097-6825
ISSN:
0091-6749


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
2016153
Local pid:
pubs:2016153
Deposit date:
2024-07-17
ARK identifier:

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