RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Expression of interferon-γ and its effect on cough hypersensitivity in chronic refractory cough patients
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 621
OP 624
DO 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2021-218403
VO 77
IS 6
A1 Jiayang Sun
A1 Chen Zhan
A1 Zheng Deng
A1 Wei Luo
A1 Qiaoli Chen
A1 Mei Jiang
A1 Nanshan Zhong
A1 Kefang Lai
YR 2022
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/77/6/621.abstract
AB Chronic refractory cough (CRC) is characterised by cough hypersensitivity. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) has been reported to induce calcium influx, action potentials of vagal neurons in vitro and cough response in guinea pigs. While the effect of IFN-γ in CRC patients remains unknown. Here, via flow-cytometry and inhalation cough challenge, we found CRC patients had significantly increased levels of sputum IFN-γ+CD4+ T cells, IFN-γ+CD8+ T cells as well as supernatant of IFN-γ. The average number of coughs in CRC patients increased as the concentration of inhaled IFN-γ went up in IFN-γ cough challenge. Two or more coughs and five or more coughs elicited by inhaled IFN-γ in CRC patients occurred in 7 of 10 and 2 of 10, respectively. Preinhaled IFN-γ (100 µg/mL) increased the capsaicin cough sensitivity in CRC patients but not healthy volunteers. Targeting IFN-γ may be a potential effective anti-tussive strategy in CRC patients.