Which interleukin activates neutrophils in Type 2 (T2) low asthma?

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From the Guidelines

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is the primary interleukin that activates neutrophils in T2-low asthma. In this non-eosinophilic phenotype of asthma, neutrophilic inflammation predominates rather than the eosinophilic inflammation seen in T2-high asthma. IL-8, also known as CXCL8, functions as a potent neutrophil chemoattractant and activator, drawing these cells to the airways and stimulating their inflammatory functions. The production of IL-8 is often triggered by bacterial infections, cigarette smoke exposure, and other environmental irritants, which explains why these factors can exacerbate T2-low asthma. Other cytokines that contribute to neutrophilic inflammation in T2-low asthma include IL-17, IL-22, as mentioned in the study by 1, but IL-8 remains the most direct and powerful activator of neutrophils in this asthma endotype. Understanding this mechanism is important because T2-low asthma typically responds poorly to conventional corticosteroid therapy, requiring alternative treatment approaches that target neutrophilic inflammation pathways.

Some key points to consider in the management of T2-low asthma include:

  • The role of IL-8 in activating neutrophils and contributing to airway inflammation
  • The potential triggers of IL-8 production, such as bacterial infections and environmental irritants
  • The need for alternative treatment approaches that target neutrophilic inflammation pathways, as conventional corticosteroid therapy may be less effective in T2-low asthma
  • The importance of considering the specific phenotype of asthma, such as T2-low, when developing treatment plans, as mentioned in the study by 1.

It's worth noting that while other studies, such as 1 and 1, provide information on the diagnosis and management of asthma, they do not specifically address the question of which interleukin activates neutrophils in T2-low asthma, and therefore are not directly relevant to this question. However, they do provide general information on the pathophysiology of asthma and the importance of considering the specific phenotype of asthma when developing treatment plans. In contrast, the study by 1 provides more recent and specific information on the T2-low asthma endotype, making it a more relevant and reliable source for answering this question.

From the Research

Interleukin Activation in T2-Low Asthma

  • The provided studies do not directly address which interleukin activates neutrophils in Type 2 (T2) low asthma 2, 3, 4.
  • However, studies suggest that interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a potent neutrophil recruiting and activating factor in inflammatory lung diseases, including asthma 5, 6.
  • IL-8 has been shown to activate neutrophils in vitro and in vivo, and its concentration in serum has been correlated with disease severity in patients with pulmonary emphysema or bronchial asthma 5, 6.
  • While the studies do not specifically focus on T2-low asthma, they imply that IL-8 may play a role in activating neutrophils in this subtype of asthma.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Biomarkers in asthma, potential for therapeutic intervention.

The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma, 2024

Research

T2-"Low" Asthma: Overview and Management Strategies.

The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice, 2020

Research

The role of interleukin-8 and its receptors in inflammatory lung disease: implications for therapy.

American journal of respiratory medicine : drugs, devices, and other interventions, 2002

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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