Cytokine release from the nasal mucosa and whole blood after experimental exposures to organic dusts

The aim of this study was to assess the cytokine response after nasal exposure to organic dusts. In a double blinded, crossover study five garbage workers with occupational airway symptoms and five healthy garbage workers were intranasally exposed to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide LPS), beta-1,3-D-glucan (GLU), Aspergillus sp., compost or the saline dilute for 15 min. Nasal cavity volume and nasal lavage (NAL) were performed at baseline and 3, 6, 11 h postexposure. NAL was analysed with differential cell counts, cysteinyl-leukotrienes, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8. A whole blood assay on cytokine-release was performed with LPS and GLU. NAL cytokines neutrophils, lymphocytes and albumin increased significantly at 6 h after LPS exposure. GLU induced an increase in albumin and a slight increase in IL-1beta 6-11 h post exposure. In the WBA a significant increase in all cytokines after exposure to LPS as well as GLU was found. Significantly more cells were seen in NAL of the control group 6 h post LPS exposure. In conclusion lipopolysaccharide is the most potent inducer of inflammation in the nasal mucosa whereas compost and beta-1,3-D-glucan only induce minor changes. This reaction to lipopolysaccharide is attenuated in workers with occupational airway symptoms. In whole blood assay, however, beta-1,3-D-glucan also induces cytokine release, indicating a different protective effect of the nasal mucosa towards lipopolysaccharide and beta-1,3-D-glucan.

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