Evaluating serum periostin and YKL-40 as biomarkers for airway remodeling and hyperresponsiveness in pediatric asthma

Background

Periostin and human chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) have been suggested to be involved in the development of airway fibrosis and remodeling. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum periostin levels and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and between serum YKL-40 levels and AHR in children with asthma, comparing periostin as a marker for Th2 inflammation and atopy with YKL-40.

Methods

The study involved children aged 6–15 years, comprising 75 with asthma and 29 healthy controls. We measured serum periostin and YKL-40 levels and performed exercise bronchial provocation tests, methacholine challenge tests, spirometry, and FeNO measurements.

Results

Compared to the healthy controls, asthmatic children exhibited significantly elevated levels of periostin (86.7 [71.0–104.0] vs 68.3 [56.0–82.0] ng/mL; P = 0.006) and YKL-40 (29.0 [15.0–39.5] vs 27.7 [14.0–34.1] ng/mL; P = 0.034). The subgroup analysis revealed that periostin levels were significantly higher in the atopic asthma group than in the healthy controls (P = 0.003), but not in the non-atopic asthma group. YKL-40 levels were elevated in both the atopic and non-atopic asthma groups compared to healthy controls (P = 0.012 and P = 0.001, respectively). Serum periostin levels were significantly correlated with the postexerceise maximum percentage decrease in forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), as well as with fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood eosinophil counts, but showed no significant correlation with overall lung function. Conversely, serum YKL-40 levels were significantly linked to the Z score of FEV₁ and AHR to methacholine but not with AHR to exercise or FeNO or blood eosinophil count.

Conclusions

Periostin is linked to atopic asthma and correlates with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, FeNO, and eosinophil counts, highlighting its role in Th2 inflammation. YKL-40 is a general asthma marker, indicating airway remodeling. These findings suggest that targeting these markers can improve personalized treatment strategies for pediatric asthma.