Relationship of Systemic IL-10 Levels With Proinflammatory Cytokine Responsiveness and Lung Function in Agriculture Workers

Authors

Tricia D. LeVan, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Debra J. Romberger, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Mohammad Siahpush, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Brandon L. Grimm, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Athena K. Ramos, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Patrik L. Johansson, University of Nebraska MedicalFollow
Tzeyu L. Michaud, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Art J. Heires, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Todd A. Wyatt, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Jill A. Poole, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal Title

Respiratory Research

Publication Date

2018

Volume

19

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Agriculture workers are exposed to microbial component- and particulate matter-enriched organic dust aerosols. Whereas it is clear that exposure to these aerosols can lead to lung inflammation, it is not known how inflammatory responses are resolved in some individuals while others develop chronic lung disease. Interleukin (IL)-10 is an immunomodulatory cytokine that is recognized as a potent anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving factor. The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship of systemic IL-10 and proinflammatory responses and/or respiratory health effects in humans with prior agriculture exposure.

METHODS: This is a cross sectional study of 625 veterans with > 2 years of farming experience. Whole blood was stimulated with or without organic dust and measured for IL-6, TNFα and IL-10. Participants underwent spirometry and respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire.

RESULTS: We found that baseline IL-10 concentration from the whole blood assay was inversely associated with ΔTNF-α (r = - 0.63) and ΔIL-6 (r = - 0.37) levels. Results remained highly significant in the linear regression model after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, race, education, smoking status, and white blood cell count (ΔTNF-α, p < 0.0001; ΔIL-6, p < 0.0001). We found no association between chronic cough (p = 0.18), chronic phlegm (p = 0.31) and chronic bronchitis (p = 0.06) and baseline IL-10 levels using univariate logistic regression models. However, we did find that higher FEV

CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these studies support a potential role for IL-10 in modulating an inflammatory response and lung function in agriculture-exposed persons.

DOI Link

10.1186/s12931-018-0875-z

ISSN

1465-993X

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

LeVan, Tricia D.; Romberger, Debra J.; Siahpush, Mohammad; Grimm, Brandon L.; Ramos, Athena K.; Johansson, Patrik L.; Michaud, Tzeyu L.; Heires, Art J.; Wyatt, Todd A.; and Poole, Jill A., "Relationship of Systemic IL-10 Levels With Proinflammatory Cytokine Responsiveness and Lung Function in Agriculture Workers" (2018). Journal Articles: Internal Medicine. 8.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/com_internal_articles/8