Original Article
 

Immunomodulatory Effects of Bacterial Lysates Combined with Bronchoalveolar Lavage on Cytokine Regulation and T-cell Responses in Pseudomonas aeruginosa–colonized Bronchiectasis

Abstract

We aimed to determine the impact of combined bacterial lysates (BLs) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) therapy on specific immune biomarkers (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-17, CD4+, CD8+), lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], maximal expiratory flow at 25% of FVC [MEF25]), and clinical symptoms in bronchiectasis patients with chronic P aeruginosa colonization. Sixty-five stable bronchiectasis patients were randomized to receive BAL plus oral BLs (treatment group) or BAL alone (control group). After 3 months, IL-6 and IL-17 levels in BAL fluid and serum, peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets, lung function indices, clinical symptom scores (CSS), and reinfection rates were assessed. Compared with BAL alone, the combination therapy significantly reduced IL-6 and IL-17 concentrations in both BAL fluid and serum. CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts increased markedly in the treatment group, correlating positively with improved lung function metrics (FEV1, MEF75%, MEF50%, MEF25%, diffusion capacity). Elevated IL-6 and IL 17 were inversely correlated with pulmonary function and positively associated with symptom severity and reinfection risk. Clinically, the treatment group demonstrated improved CSS, enhanced lung function, and reduced reinfections. BLs combined with BAL exert potent immunomodulatory effects by enhancing T-cell responses and downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby improving both immune regulation and clinical outcomes in P aeruginosa-colonized bronchiectasis. These findings suggest BLs represent a promising adjunctive immunotherapy in chronic airway infections.
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IssueVol 25 No 4 (2026) QRcode
SectionOriginal Article(s)
DOI https://doi.org/10.18502/ijaai.v25i4.21737
Keywords
Bacterial lysate Bronchiectasis Bronchoalveolar lavage Cytokines Immunomodulation Pseudomonas aeruginosa T lymphocytes

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How to Cite
1.
Rao S, Xu J, Xu W, Chang Y, Chen L, Yuan W, Xie J, Li H, Zhang J, Xie Y, Xu G, Xie C. Immunomodulatory Effects of Bacterial Lysates Combined with Bronchoalveolar Lavage on Cytokine Regulation and T-cell Responses in Pseudomonas aeruginosa–colonized Bronchiectasis. Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2026;25(4):502-516.