A randomized controlled trial on the effect of montelukast on sputum eosinophil cationic protein in children with corticosteroid-dependent asthma

Previous adult studies demonstrated the clinical efficacy of an additional treatment with leukotriene receptor antagonists on steroid-dependent asthma, but there is little knowledge about anti-inflammatory add-on effects within the lung. In this study, we hypothesized that steroid-treated children exhibit a decrease in bronchial inflammation in induced sputum under additional treatment with montelukast. Twenty-five asthmatic children aged 6 to 14 y, who had been taking inhaled corticosteroids (400-800 microg/d budesonide) regularly for at least 12 wk, were randomized to receive additional treatment with either montelukast (5 mg orally, once daily) or placebo over a 4-wk period. As primary efficacy variable, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in induced sputum as direct measurement of bronchial inflammation was assessed before and after treatment. To assure a baseline level of inflammation, an ECP concentration above 100 microg/L was required. Sputum eosinophil count, concentration of exhaled nitric oxide, urinary excretion of eosinophil protein X, and quality-of-life items were considered as secondary outcome variables. After treatment with montelukast, ECP in sputum was significantly reduced (montelukast: median -975 microg/L [5 to 95% confidence interval: -4295 to 583 microg/L]; placebo: 561 microg/L [-1335 to 3320 microg/L]; p < 0.01) and the quality-of-life score had significantly improved (p < 0.05) compared with placebo. Partly explained by low baseline levels, no statistically significant change in concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (p > 0.05), urinary excretion of eosinophil protein X (p > 0.05), or eosinophil count (p > 0.05) was found. In conclusion, add-on treatment with montelukast can suppress sputum ECP in children with steroid-dependent asthma, while at the same time an improvement in quality of life items occurs.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-4 core promoter genetic variants: influence on YY-1 affinity and plasma levels

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-4 (MCP-4) is a CC chemokine implicated in the recruitment of eosinophils, monocytes, and T-lymphocytes in diseases of mucosal inflammation, including asthma. We tested the hypothesis that there is a genetic basis for differences in MCP-4 expression among individuals by evaluating the effects of core promoter variants on MCP-4 expression. We identified two single-nucleotide T-to-C polymorphisms in the MCP-4 core promoter that occur 896 and 887 base pairs preceding the transcription initiation site. The -887 variant alters a consensus binding motif for the transcription factor YY-1. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that YY-1 containing nuclear extracts from tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells had greater avidity for the wild-type (YY-1 motif intact) sequence than for the variant sequence. Increasing doses of a YY-1 expression vector induced significantly greater reporter activity from MCP-4 core promoter expression constructs of the wild-type compared with the variant sequence in transient transfection experiments. The external validity of these observations was demonstrated by measuring plasma levels of MCP-4 from individuals with the alternative forms of the gene. Individuals bearing haplotypic variants of the MCP-4 core promoter that avidly bind the transcription factor YY-1 had higher plasma levels of MCP-4 than did individuals with variants with lower binding avidity (490, 360, and 360 pg/ml; P < 0.01). Our findings suggest that the MCP-4 core promoter YY-1 binding motif is functional, modulates the transcriptional regulation of the MCP-4 gene, and that part of the variance in the systemic expression of MCP-4 is determined by core promoter genetic variants.

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features of children, adolescents, and adults with a clinically isolated syndrome

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) both in children and adults is based on clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features according to the McDonald criteria. Little is known about differences in the presentation between pre-pubertal children, adolescents, and adult patients at disease onset.

OBJECTIVE

To compare (1) the clinical, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and MRI characteristics, and (2) the diagnostic performance of the 2010 McDonald criteria between pre-pubertal, adolescent, and adult patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of the initial brain and spinal cord MRI scans from 11 pre-pubertal children, 46 adolescents, and 56 adults with a CIS. Furthermore, clinical, CSF characteristics, and the performance of the 2010 McDonald criteria were compared.

RESULTS

The first inter-attack interval tended to increase with age. With respect to MRI presentation, significantly fewer pre-pubertal children presented with juxtacortical and callosal lesions. We found no significant differences in the fulfillment of the 2010 McDonald criteria between the groups.

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective series, subtle differences between children, adolescents, and adults with a CIS were noted. Larger samples are required in order to establish distinct features of the different age groups.

Characterization of children with early onset pediatric multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Early onset pediatric multiple sclerosis (EOPMS) provides an early window of opportunity to understand the mechanisms leading to MS.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate clinical, laboratory and imaging differences between children with early onset pediatric MS (<11 years, EOPMS) and late onset pediatric MS (≥11 years, LOPMS).

METHODS

Mostly prospectively collected data of children with MS including clinical presentation, MRI at onset, time to second relapse, relapse rate, treatment history, and CSF markers were eligible.

RESULTS

In total 274 children were included, n = 53 children with EOPMS and n = 221 children with LOPMS. In children with EOPMS both sexes were equally affected, while in LOPMS the female sex was more prevalent (p < 0.001). Presence of additional oligoclonal bands (OCBs) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was comparable in both age groups (92.3 % vs 89.5 %). Children with EOPMS had more relapses in the first 2 years (p = 0.004). Children with LOPMS had significantly more spinal lesions (p = 0.001). Presence of a prior EBV infection tested in a subset of children with EOPMS (n = 34) was only detected in 27/34 (79 %).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that both groups share important similarities but also important differences such as an increased relapse rate and a higher amount of infratentorial lesions in EOPMS. Furthermore, our results allude to a prior EBV-infection possibly not being an indispensable requirement for the development of MS in children with EOPMS.