Fig. 8

Increasing serum IL-26 concentrations correlate with surrogate markers of asthma severity in allergen-sensitized subjects. Serum concentrations of IL-26 were measured by ELISA in allergen-sensitized subjects with asthma (n = 51). (A) IL-26 concentrations were plotted relative to each subject’s daily inhaled corticosteroid dose. Statistical significance was assessed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. (B) IL-26 concentrations were compared between subjects who had no prior hospitalizations vs. one or more hospitalizations for asthma in the 12 months preceding study enrolment. (C) IL-26 concentrations were compared between subjects who had received no oral steroid vs. those receiving one or more courses of oral steroids in the 12 months preceding study enrolment. (B-C) Statistical significance was assessed using the Mann-Whitney test. Error bars represent mean ± SEM. Dashed horizonal line represents the lower limit of detection of the ELISA assay