Th1/Th17 cytokines of the immune response in patients with bronchial asthma after COVID-19
https://doi.org/10.20538/1682-0363-2026-1-96-104
Abstract
Aim. To study the content of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) and 17А (IL-17A) in the blood serum of patients with bronchial asthma who experienced COVID-19 of varying severity.
Materials and methods. We examined 124 adult asthma patients of both sexes 6–12 months after COVID-19. The design included a general examination to determine the objective status of patients, asthma severity and control, assessment of the lung function, and measurement of IL-1β in EBC and IL-6, IL-17A in the serum of peripheral blood.
Results. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 90 patients with mild persistent asthma. Group 2 included 34 patients with moderate asthma. The content of IL-6 and IL-17A in the blood serum of patients in group 1 was significantly lower than in group 2 (p = 0.047 and p = 0.049, respectively). The concentration of IL-1β in the EBC of patients in group 1 was significantly higher than in group 2 (p = 0.019). COVID-19-associated pneumonia was experienced by 40% of patients in group 1 and by 79% of patients in group 2. Post-COVID pulmonary fibrosis was registered in 19 and 62% of cases, respectively. In group 1, a relationship was revealed between the content of IL-17A and IL-6 in the blood (Rs = 0.69; p < 0.001). In group 2, a correlation was found between the content of IL-17A and IL-6 in the blood (Rs = 0.32; p = 0.025), as well as between the forced expiratory flow at 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF75), reflecting the patency of small bronchi, and the levels of IL-6 (Rs =–0.32; p = 0.023) and IL-1β (Rs = 0.49; p = 0.021).
Conclusion. In patients who experienced COVID-19, a rise in the content of Th1/Th17 cytokines was observed as the severity of asthma increased. High concentrations of IL-17A and Th17-associated IL-1β and IL-6, which activate neutrophilic inflammation, may increase the risk of systemic inflammation and the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
About the Authors
A. G. Prikhodko
Far Eastern Scientific Center of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
22 Kalinin St., 675000 Blagoveshchensk, Russian Federation
A. B. Pirogov
Far Eastern Scientific Center of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
22 Kalinin St., 675000 Blagoveshchensk, Russian Federation
D. A. Gassan
Far Eastern Scientific Center of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
22 Kalinin St., 675000 Blagoveshchensk, Russian Federation
J. M. Perelman
Far Eastern Scientific Center of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
22 Kalinin St., 675000 Blagoveshchensk, Russian Federation
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For citations:
Prikhodko A.G., Pirogov A.B., Gassan D.A., Perelman J.M. Th1/Th17 cytokines of the immune response in patients with bronchial asthma after COVID-19. Bulletin of Siberian Medicine. 2026;25(1):96-104. https://doi.org/10.20538/1682-0363-2026-1-96-104
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