Expression of the Apoptosis Inhibitor Bcl-2 in Sputum Eosinophils in Patients with Asthma

Background and objectives: apoptosis of eosinophils is of significant value in assessing theairway inflammation in patients with asthma. our purpose was to investigate the degree ofexpression of the bcl-2 protein in sputum eosinophils during acute asthma exacerbation and itsrelationship with exacerbation severity.materials and methods: the study was carried out in mostafa khomeini hospital, tehran,iran in march 2008. sputum was obtained from 15 asthmatic patients and 13 healthy subjects asa control group. number of eosinophils was counted and bcl-2+ eosinophils were stained usingimmunocytochemistry.results: sputum eosinophils and bcl-2+ eosinophils were significantly higher in patients withacute exacerbation than controls (p < 0.05).conclusion: bcl-2 prolongs survival and decreases apoptosis of airway eosinophils during acuteasthma exacerbation. eosinophil apoptosis and inhibition of bcl-2 represent a target for new andeffective therapeutic strategies of asthma.