Determination the Role of Endothelial Cell-Specific Molecule-1(ESM-1) in Childhood Bronchial Asthma

  Background Endothelial Cell-Specific Molecule-1 (ESM-1) is a 50 kDa soluble proteoglycan that is produced mainly the vascular endothelial cells of the kidney and lung. It is produced by the effects of proangiogenic and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and it indicates activation and dysfunction of the vascular endothelium. We aimed to detect the role of ESM-1 in children with asthma. Materials and Methods This study is a prospective cross sectional study and include 50 child (32 with mild persistent, 18 with moderate persistent asthma (patients) and 30 healthy children served as controls, both groups were selected from outpatient pulmonology clinic and inpatient pediatric department at children hospital, Minia University, Egypt, from 2016 to 2018; and were subjected to: detailed clinical examination, lung function test, complete blood picture and measurement of level of ESM-1 in serum. Results Level of ESM-1 was increased in asthmatic children compared to the controls (p=0.001). Also, the level of ESM-1 in children suffering from moderate persistent asthma was markedly higher than those with mild persistent asthma (p=0.001). In addition, ESM-1 level was positively correlated with eosinophil counts (r=0.79, p=0.01), but had negative correlation with lung functions FEV1 and PEFR (r=- 0.89, - 0.84, p=0.001). Conclusion  ESM-1 level was increased in asthmatic children suggesting that it may have a role in asthma, furthermore, it was associated with decreased lung function indicating that it is considered as an indicator of severe asthma.