Serum Th-2 Cytokines and FEV1 Decline in WTC-Exposed Firefighters: A 19-Year Longitudinal Study

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cohen HW ; Goldfarb DG ; Prezant DJ ; Putman B ; Schwartz T ; Singh A ; Weiden MD ; Zeig-Owens R
• Description:
  Background: Accelerated-FEV1-decline, defined as rate of decline in FEV1 > 64 ml/year, is a risk factor for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed firefighters. Accelerated-FEV1-decline in this cohort is associated with elevated blood eosinophil concentrations, a mediator of Th-2 response. We hypothesized that an association exists between Th-2 biomarkers and FEV1 decline rate in those with accelerated-FEV1-decline. Methods: Serum was drawn from Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) firefighters 1-6 months (early) (N = 816) and 12-13 years (late) (N = 983) after 9/11/2001. Th-2 biomarkers IL-4, IL-13, and IL-5 were assayed by multiplex Luminex. Individual FEV1 decline rates were calculated using spirometric measurements taken: (1) between 9/11/2001 and 9/10/2020 for the early biomarker group and (2) between late measurement date and 9/10/2020 for the late biomarker group. Associations of early and late Th-2 biomarkers with subsequent FEV1 decline rates were analyzed using multivariable linear regression controlling for demographics, smoking status, and other potential confounders. Results: In WTC-exposed firefighters with accelerated-FEV1-decline, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-5 measured 1-6 months post-9/11/2001 were associated with greater FEV1 decline ml/year between 9/11/2001 and 9/10/2020 (-2.9 +/- 1.4 ml/year per IL-4 doubling; -8.4 +/- 1.2 ml/year per IL-13 doubling; -7.9 +/- 1.3 ml/year per IL-5 doubling). Among late measured Th-2 biomarkers, only IL-4 was associated with subsequent FEV1 decline rate (-4.0 +/- 1.6 ml/year per IL-4 doubling). Conclusions: In WTC-exposed firefighters with accelerated-FEV1-decline, elevated serum IL-4 measured both 1-6 months and 12-13 years after 9/11 is associated with greater FEV1 decline/year. Drugs targeting the IL-4 pathway may improve lung function in this high-risk subgroup. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomarkers Blood Demography Firefighters Lung Occupational Health Respiratory Function Tests Respiratory System Safety September 11 Terrorist Attacks Smokers

  More +
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: FEV1 Slope Blood Serum Cohort Studies Cytokines Demographic Characteristics Fire Fighters Firefighting Lung Function Smoking Spirometry Th-2 Biomarkers World Trade Center WTC

  More +
• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  64
• Issue:
  10
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20063129
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2021 Oct; 64(10):845-852
• Contact Point Address:
  Michael D. Weiden, MD, MS, Bureau of Health Services, 9 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
• Email:
  michael.weiden@nyulangone.org
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• Performing Organization:
  New York University School of Medicine
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20190701
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20210630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:c3d8cf55ec34f929eb1bff477604bae31c74bb0278abdc48d819036818c6fadefcd5df2db9524e0fdf43eb45996e5d024a5197be1f51ba4b462b0eedafc8e71f
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/226248/cdc_226248_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 534.81 KB ]