Mepolizumab Attenuates Airway Eosinophil Numbers, but Not Their Functional Phenotype, in Asthma.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Mepolizumab, an IL-5-blocking antibody, reduces exacerbations in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. Mepolizumab arrests eosinophil maturation; however, the functional phenotype of eosinophils that persist in the blood and airway after administration of IL-5 neutralizing antibodies has not been reported.

Objectives

To determine the effect of anti-IL-5 antibody on the numbers and phenotypes of allergen-induced circulating and airway eosinophils.

Methods

Airway inflammation was elicited in participants with mild allergic asthma by segmental allergen challenge before and 1 month after a single intravenous 750-mg dose of mepolizumab. Eosinophils were examined in blood, bronchoalveolar lavage, and endobronchial biopsies 48 hours after challenge.

Measurem

SUBMITTER: Kelly EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5736971 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature