Text Box: THE ROLE OF P-SELECTIN IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF ASTHMATICCHILDREN Qian Y-Q, Gu H-L, Zhang S-M, et al Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, China Objective: To evaluate the role of p-selectin in the pathogenesis of asthmatic children and its clinical significance Methods: The plasma p-selectin were separately measured by radioimmunoassay with 125I-SZ-51 marked of specific McAb in 72 acute and relieved asthmatic children. The lung functions (FEV1, PEF) were also evaluated. Results: The plasma p-selectin average level were18.69±5.15 ng/ml in acute attack group, 10.28±1.36n/ml in controls(p<0.001). The expression of p-selectin seemed higher in serious group (24.36±5.59 ng/ml) than that in slight (14.29±0.91) and midium group (17.43±1.75 ng/ml). The difference had a statistically significant (p<0.001). In the same time, the lung function were dropping with the aggravation of the disease, but plasma p-selectin level and lung function were obviously decrease and improved during relieved period. Conclusions: The result indicated that the p-selectin plays an important role in the asthmatic attack. It's expression may be mark of airway inflammation. The level of p-selectin can be used as diagnosis and judgment of asthma. 1044