Imaging allergen-invoked airway inflammation in atopic asthma with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography
Abstract
Airway inflammation is a feature of asthma and can be quantified invasively with bronchial lavage and endobronchial histology. Inflammatory foci can be imaged non-invasively with positron emission tomography (PET) and [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) to quantify glucose uptake in activated granulocytes. We used this technique to study airway inflammation in asthma. Nine men with mild atopic asthma were studied. In five, we studied the effect of bronchoscopic segmental allergen challenge on 18FDG uptake. Allergen was instilled into the posterior segment of the right upper lobe; a similar volume (20 mL) of isotonic saline was instilled into the posterior segment of the left upper lobe. At 1-32 h after instillation, PET with 18FDG was done. In the other four patients, we administered aerosolised allergen. 18FDG uptake was increased four-fold in the right compared with the left upper lobe (geometric mean of ratios 4.30, 95% Cl 2.39-7.72, p=0.002). Aerosolised administration of allergen did not significantly increase 18FDG uptake. These data show that local allergen-invoked airway inflammation can be visualised with 18FDG and PET in asthma. The cellular localisation of the 18FDG signal remains to be determined.
Associated Clinical Trials
References
Citations
The opportunities and challenges of developing imaging biomarkers to study lung function and disease
Effect of combined montelukast and desloratadine on the early asthmatic response to inhaled allergen
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory genetically determined disease of the skin marked by increased ability to form reagin (IgE), with increased susceptibility to allergic rhinitis and asthma, and hereditary disposition to a lowered threshold for pruritus. Discover the latest research on atopic dermatitis here.
Allergy and Asthma
Allergy and asthma are inflammatory disorders that are triggered by the activation of an allergen-specific regulatory t cell. These t cells become activated when allergens are recognized by allergen-presenting cells. Here is the latest research on allergy and asthma.
Asthma
This feed focuses in Asthma in which your airways narrow and swell. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.