T-bet基因转染对哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响

目的： 观察气道内T-bet基因转染对哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响。方法: C57BL/6小鼠40只,随机分为4组,每组10只,分别为正常对照组（A组）、哮喘模型组（B组）、空质粒干预组(C组) 和T-bet质粒干预组(D组)。卵白蛋白(OVA) 抗原溶液腹腔注射致敏,滴鼻造模。正常对照组用生理盐水代替OVA,空质粒干预组和T-bet质粒干预组OVA激发48 h前,分别经鼻滴入50 μg空质粒和重组T-bet质粒。观察各组实验小鼠的肺组织炎症以及BALF中各类炎症细胞以及IL-4、IFN-γ水平的变化。 结果: Western blotting检测发现,小鼠气道转染pcDNA3-T-bet质粒48 h后肺组织T-bet蛋白表达显著增加。pcDNA3-T-bet质粒转染能较好抑制给药后48 h OVA激发的哮喘小鼠气道炎症（包括炎症细胞浸润,上皮细胞损伤、黏液分泌、血管壁水肿及管腔缩窄）;下调小鼠BALF中Th2因子IL-4并上调Th1因子IFN-γ水平。 结论: 气道内转染T-bet质粒能有效改善哮喘小鼠的气道炎症。     

乳胶致小鼠气道炎症的研究

目的：以乳胶为致敏原，建立具有哮喘主要特征的小鼠模型，研究乳胶与气道炎症之间的关系。方法：乳胶腹腔注射与滴鼻诱发BALB／C小鼠气道炎症，在激发后2，4小时行支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)细胞计数分类、肺组织病理检查、血清总IgE及乳胶特异性IgE(sIgE)测定并检测IL-5、IFN-γ的表达。结果：乳胶诱发后，实验组小鼠BALF中细胞总数及嗜酸粒细胞百分比升高；肺组织病理切片示支气管上皮增生、脱落，粘液腺分泌现象，支气管痉挛、收缩，炎症细胞浸润；血清总IgE及乳胶sIgE水平升高；BALF及肺组织局部IFN-γ减少，IL-5增高。结论：用乳胶蛋白作为致敏原，采用腹腔致敏与多次滴鼻激发可使BALB/C小鼠发生气道炎症，具有与变应原诱导的人类哮喘迟发反应相一致的主要特征：气道变应性炎症；外周血IgE浓度升高；肺组织中Th2型CK表达占优势。     

减毒活菌卡介苗通过STAT6对哮喘小鼠肺组织Th1和Th2型细胞因子的影响

目的:研究减毒活菌卡介苗(BCG)干预对哮喘小鼠呼吸道炎症、气管肺泡盥洗液(BALF)中细胞因子及肺组织信号转导和转录激活因子-6(STAT6)蛋白表达的影响。方法:将昆明小鼠30只随机分为正常对照组、哮喘组、BCG治疗组3组,每组小鼠都为10只。正常对照组以生理盐水致敏激发,以卵清白蛋白(OVA)致敏激发建立小鼠哮喘模型,BCG治疗组于OVA致敏前及后5天分别以BCG皮内注射干预,所有小鼠在最后一次抗原激发后24小时收集BALF,计数BALF中的白细胞总数及嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)数目,苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察小鼠肺组织病理形态学改变,用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测BALF中IL-4、IFNγ-水平,以免疫组织化学法观察各组小鼠肺组织STAT6表达。结果:小鼠肺组织HE切片显示哮喘组有大量炎症细胞浸润。哮喘组、BCG治疗组小鼠肺组织STAT6蛋白表达和BALF中的白细胞总数、EOS计数、IL-4水平均较正常对照组升高(P<0.05);而与哮喘组比较,BCG治疗组肺组织STAT6蛋白表达和BALF中的白细胞总数、EOS计数、IL-4水平均降低(P<0.05)。与正常对照组比较,哮喘组BALF中的IFNγ-水平显著下降(P<0.01),而BCG治疗组BALF中的IFNγ-水平增加(P<0.05)。结论:BCG能抑制哮喘小鼠气道炎症、减少哮喘小鼠Th2型细胞因子IL-4的生成、提高Th1细胞因子IFNγ-的水平,其干预机制可能与BCG抑制哮喘小鼠肺组织STAT6蛋白的表达有关。     

IL-4RA基因转染对哮喘模型气道STAT6的干预作用

目的：观察呼吸道转染IL-4RA基因对哮喘模型气道STAT6的干预作用。方法：BALB／c小鼠被随机分为五组，空白对照组、哮喘模型组、空载体干预组、激素治疗组、目的基因干预组。除空白对照组外其他各组小鼠在试验第1天和第7天和第14天通过腹腔注射0．2ml混有40mg氢氧化铝和10μgOVA的pH7．4PBS致敏，空载体干预组和基因干预组在试验第12天连续给药三天，激素治疗组在激发的同时给予激素雾化吸入一周，在试验第15天用5％的OVA对小鼠进行雾化激发，连续一周。在最后一次激发后24小时放血杀死小鼠，检测血浆IgE水平和血中嗜酸细胞计数，留取肺组织标本做进一步的分析：肺组织用10％的甲醛固定，通过免疫组化的方法对ST_AT6的表达进行检测。结果：逆转录病毒载体携带目的基因IL-4RA成功地整合到了宿主基因组中，通过逆转录病毒转染的IL-4RA的基因高表达成功地阻止在哮喘模型鼠气道由IL-4和IL-13诱发的气道嗜酸细胞浸润，另外，逆转录病毒介导的IL-4RA在气道的表达明显地阻止了哮喘相关的气道STAT6水平，因此基因治疗可能会成为治疗慢性哮喘气道炎症和哮喘症状的极有潜力的药物。结论：IL-4RA基因转染阻止了哮喘模型气道STAT6的产生。     

P2X4受体拮抗剂5-BDBD对过敏性哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响

目的观察P2X4受体拮抗剂5-BDBD对过敏性哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响。方法实验BALB/c小鼠分为正常对照组、哮喘组、5-BDBD组。卵蛋白致敏及气道激发制作过敏性哮喘模型。应用Western blot检测肺组织P2X4受体表达水平,HE染色观察肺组织病理学改变,ELISA检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALE)中IL-1β、TNF-α的表达水平。结果过敏性哮喘小鼠肺组织P2X4受体表达明显增高;给予5-BDBD处理后过敏性哮喘小鼠气道周围炎性浸润明显减轻,支气管肺泡灌洗液中IL-1β、TNF-α的含量较哮喘组相比也明显降低。结论嘌呤碱P2X4受体拮抗剂5-BDBD能够减轻过敏性哮喘小鼠气道炎症的发生。     

mTSLPR-Ig调节CD11c+细胞改善哮喘小鼠炎症反应

本研究探讨mTsLPR-Ig逆转哮喘小鼠Th1/Th2失衡以及改善哮喘气道炎症的可行性及其诱导哮喘免疫耐受的机制.实验包括用卵白蛋白(OVA)腹腔注射致敏和雾化吸入激发BALB/c小鼠,建立哮喘动物模型.于OVA激发前,将mTSLPR-Ig进行小鼠滴鼻灌注,光镜下对BALF中细胞总数及嗜酸粒细胞、淋巴细胞进行计数;EL...     

IL-27对哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响

目的研究IL-27对卵白蛋白(OVA)激发哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响。方法 24只雌性BALB/c小鼠随机分为生理盐水组、哮喘组及IL-27组,每组8只。应用OVA建立哮喘模型,IL-27组小鼠应用1μgIL-27(溶于50μlPBS中)滴鼻给药,观察3组小鼠肺组织病理改变,计数支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中嗜酸性粒细胞;ELISA法测定小鼠BALF中IL-4和IFN-γ浓度,RT-PCR测定肺组织T-bet mRNA的表达量。结果 IL-27组小鼠肺组织炎症反应明显轻于哮喘组小鼠;IL-27组小鼠BALF中嗜酸性粒细胞计数为(2.21±0.33)×107/L明显低于哮喘组的(12.82±2.17)×107/L(P0.01);IL-27组小鼠BALF中IL-4浓度为(20.4±3.2)μg/L,明显低于哮喘组的(61.3±13.1)μg/L(P0.05);IL-27组小鼠BALF中IFN-γ浓度为(50.3±6.3)μg/L,明显高于哮喘组的(11.1±3.3)μg/L(P0.05);IL-27组小鼠肺组织T-bet mRNA表达量(吸光度积分比值)为(0.268±0.048),明显高于哮喘组的(0.130±0.012)(P0.05)。结论 IL-27可能通过增强T-bet mRNA的表达增强Th1反应,减少BALF中嗜酸性粒细胞数量,进而减轻了哮喘小鼠肺组织炎症反应。     

褪黑素促进哮喘小鼠肺组织STAT4的表达及抑制气道炎症

目的 探讨褪黑素(MT)对哮喘小鼠肺组织信号传导子和转录激活子4(STAT4)表达的影响及其在气道炎症中的作用.方法 最后1次雾化激发后1 h行左肺支气管肺泡灌洗计数炎性细胞;免疫组织化学和实时定量PCR分别检测右肺组织STAT4蛋白及其mRNA的表达;酶联免疫吸附试验检测外周血IL-12水平.结果 (1)模型组小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中炎性细胞总数和EOS较对照组明显增多,肺组织STAT4蛋白及其mRNA表达较对照组明显降低;MT组以上指标均得到明显缓解(P<0.01);(2)哮喘小鼠STAT4蛋白及其mRNA的表达均与BALF中EOS呈高度负相关(r=-0.754,r=-0.755;P<0.01),外周血IL-12水平与STAT4蛋白表达呈高度正相关(r=0.742,P<0.01).结论 MT能通过诱导哮喘小鼠肺组织STAT4基因的转录、翻译,促进外周血IL-12产生,抑制EOS等炎性细胞浸润,显著抑制气道炎症.     

Thl7淋巴细胞在哮喘小鼠气道炎症中的初步研究

目的:初步探索Th17细胞及其分泌的炎症介质在哮喘小鼠气道炎症中的作用机制.方法:20只小鼠随机均分为哮喘组和正常对照组.哮喘组用卵白蛋白(OVA)致敏与激发建立小鼠哮喘模型.正常对照组致敏与激发均以生理盐水代替.HE染色观察小鼠气道及肺组织病理变化;光学显微镜下观察小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中细胞分类及计数;酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测小鼠BALF上清中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13、IFN-γ及IL-17的含量,流式细胞技术(FCM)检测小鼠外周血Th1、Th2及Th17淋巴细胞占CD4+T淋巴细胞百分率情况.结果:哮喘组小鼠BALF中细胞总数和中性粒细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞、淋巴细胞百分率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),BALF上清中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13及IL-17的水平显著增高(P<0.05),而IFN-γ差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),外周血Th2、Th17细胞明显增高(P<0.05),而Th1细胞无明显变化.结论:Th17细胞及其分泌的炎症介质可促进中性粒细胞及嗜酸性粒细胞在气道内聚集,加重哮喘气道炎症,可能与哮喘气道重塑密切相关.     

Th17淋巴细胞在哮喘小鼠气道炎症中的初步研究

目的:初步探索Th17细胞及其分泌的炎症介质在哮喘小鼠气道炎症中的作用机制。方法:20只小鼠随机均分为哮喘组和正常对照组。哮喘组用卵白蛋白(OVA)致敏与激发建立小鼠哮喘模型。正常对照组致敏与激发均以生理盐水代替。HE染色观察小鼠气道及肺组织病理变化;光学显微镜下观察小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中细胞分类及计数;酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测小鼠BALF上清中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13、IFN-γ及IL-17的含量,流式细胞技术(FCM)检测小鼠外周血Th1、Th2及Th17淋巴细胞占CD4+T淋巴细胞百分率情况。结果:哮喘组小鼠BALF中细胞总数和中性粒细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞、淋巴细胞百分率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),BALF上清中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13及IL-17的水平显著增高(P<0.05),而IFN-γ差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),外周血Th2、Th17细胞明显增高(P<0.05),而Th1细胞无明显变化。结论:Th17细胞及其分泌的炎症介质可促进中性粒细胞及嗜酸性粒细胞在气道内聚集,加重哮喘气道炎症,可能与哮喘气道重塑密切相关。     

Effects of experimental asthma on inflammation and lung mechanics in sickle cell mice

Experimental asthma increases eosinophil and collagen deposition in the lungs of sickle cell disease (SCD) mice to a greater extent than in control mice. However, the effects of asthma on inflammation and airway physiology remain unclear. To determine effects of asthma on pulmonary inflammation and airway mechanics in SCD mice, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was used to generate chimeric SCD and hemoglobin A mice. Experimental asthma was induced by sensitizing mice with ovalbumin (OVA). Airway mechanics were assessed using forced oscillation techniques. Mouse lungs were examined histologically and physiologically. Cytokine, chemokine, and growth factors in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined by multiplex. IgE was quantified by ELISA. LDH was quantified using a colorimetric enzymatic assay. At baseline (nonsensitized), chimeric SCD mice developed hemolytic anemia with sickled red blood cells, mild leukocytosis, and increased vascular endothelial growth factor and IL-13 compared with chimeric hemoglobin A mice. Experimental asthma increased perialveolar eosinophils, plasma IgE, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 in chimeric hemoglobin A and SCD mice. IFN-γ levels were reduced in both groups. IL-5 was preferentially increased in chimeric SCD mice but not in hemoglobin A mice. Positive end-expiratory pressures and methacholine studies revealed that chimeric SCD mice had greater resistance in large and small airways compared with hemoglobin A mice at baseline and after OVA sensitization. SCD alone induces a baseline lung pathology that increases large and small airway resistance and primes the lungs to increased inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness after OVA sensitization.     

特异性免疫治疗对哮喘小鼠的作用及机制的初步研究

目的　探讨特异性免疫治疗对哮喘小鼠的作用及其可能机制。方法　通过卵蛋白 (OVA)皮下注射的方法对致敏小鼠进行特异性免疫治疗 ,观察肺组织病理、支气管肺泡灌洗液 (BALF)细胞计数及分类、ELISA检测血清OVA特异性IgE(sIgE)及脾脏T淋巴细胞IL 2和IL 4的分泌 ,3H TdR掺入法检测T淋巴细胞的增殖反应 ,并与OVA致敏及激发的哮喘小鼠相比较。结果　哮喘特异性免疫治疗明显抑制小鼠肺组织炎症病理改变 ;BALF中细胞总数及嗜酸性粒细胞 (EOS)数显著减少 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;血清sIgE显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;T淋巴细胞IL 2和IL 4的分泌显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;T淋巴细胞对OVA的特异性刺激的反应显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　特异性免疫治疗可显著抑制哮喘小鼠的炎症反应 ;诱导T淋巴细胞无能可能是特异性免疫治疗减轻哮喘相关炎症反应的机制之一     

Infection of mice with the helminth Strongyloides stercoralis suppresses pulmonary allergic responses to ovalbumin

Asthma and helminth infections induce similar immune responses characterized by the presence of peripheral blood eosinophilia and elevated serum IgE levels. Epidemiological surveys have reported either increases or decreases in the development of atopic diseases and asthma based on the prevalence of helminth infections in the population. The aim of this study was to determine if a pre-existing helminth infection would increase or decrease subsequent allergic responses to an unrelated allergen in the lungs. BALB/cByJ mice were infected with the nematode parasite Strongyloides stercoralis prior to ovalbumin (OVA) immunization and intratracheal challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and fluid (BALF) were collected 3 days post-challenge and cellular and humoral immune responses were measured. Intracellular cytokine staining revealed increased IL-4 and IL-5 producing cells in BAL from mice infected with S. stercoralis before OVA sensitization. Increased IL-5 protein levels and decreased IFN-gamma protein levels were also observed in the BALF. There was, however, no increase in airway eosinophil accumulation in mice infectd with parasites before sensitization with OVA as compared to mice exposed to OVA alone. Furthermore, eotaxin levels in the lungs induced by OVA was suppressed in mice infected with the parasite before OVA sensitization. The development of OVA specific IgE responses in BALF was also impaired in mice infected with the parasite before sensitization with OVA. These results suggest that a pre-existing helminth infection may potentiate a systemic Type 2-type response yet simultaneously suppress in the lungs allergen-specific IgE responses and eotaxin levels in response to subsequent exposure to allergens.     

miR-135a inhibits airway inflammatory response in asthmatic mice via regulating JAK/STAT signaling pathway

The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of miR-135a in regulating JAK/STAT signaling pathway on airway inflammation in asthmatic mice. An asthma model was established by sensitization and stimulation with ovalbumin (OVA), and the corresponding drug intervention was given from the day of stimulation by means of nasal drops. Airway hyperresponsiveness was tested. The content of miR-135a in the lung tissue of mice was detected by RT-PCR. The pathological changes of lung tissue were evaluated by HE staining. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-5, and eotaxin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were detected by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The expression of JAK/STAT signaling pathway-related protein in lung tissue was detected by western blot. To further validate the effect of miR-135a overexpression on the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, pathway activators and inhibitors were added. Compared with the OVA group, the airway hyperresponsiveness of the mice was significantly decreased after treatment with the miR-135a agonist. The expression of miR-135a was significantly increased in the lung tissue and the pathological changes of the lung tissue were alleviated. The contents of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-5, and eotaxin in BALF and lung tissues were decreased. The expression of JAK/STAT signaling pathway-related proteins p-JAK3/JAK3, p-STAT1/STAT1, and p-STAT3/STAT3 were significantly reduced in lung tissue (P<0.05). Addition of JAK inhibitor AG490 reduced airway inflammation in asthmatic mice. miR-135a agonists inhibit airway inflammation in asthmatic mice by regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.     

Intranasal delivery of whole influenza vaccine prevents subsequent allergen-induced sensitization and airway hyper-reactivity in mice

BACKGROUND: Infection with influenza virus has been associated with seemingly opposing effects on the development of asthma. However, there are no data about the effects of mucosal vaccination with inactivated influenza on the inception of allergic asthma. OBJECTIVE: To assess the immunological effects of inhaled inactivated influenza vaccine, using two different types of flu vaccines, on the inception of allergic sensitization and allergen-mediated airway disease in a mouse model. METHODS: BALB/c mice were intranasally or intratracheally vaccinated with whole or split influenza virus vaccine (days -1 or -1, 27) before systemic sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA) (days 1, 14) and repeated airway allergen challenges (days 28-30). Allergen sensitization (IgE serum levels), airway inflammation (differential cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) and airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) (in vivo lung function) were analysed. RESULTS: The intranasal instillation of whole influenza vaccine before allergen sensitization significantly reduced the serum levels of total and OVA-specific IgE as well as allergen-induced AHR. Prevention was due to an allergen-specific shift from a predominant T helper (Th)2- towards a Th1-immune response. Application of split influenza vaccine did not show the same preventive effect. CONCLUSION: Intranasal administration of inactivated whole influenza vaccine reduced subsequent allergen sensitization and prevented allergen-induced AHR. Our results show that the composition of the influenza vaccine has a major influence on subsequent development of allergen-induced sensitization and AHR, and suggest that mucosal inactivated whole influenza vaccination may represent a step towards the development of a preventive strategy for atopic asthma.     

卡介菌多糖核酸对哮喘大鼠肺组织IL-12/STAT4信号通路的影响

目的探讨卡介菌多糖核酸(BCG-PSN)对支气管哮喘大鼠肺组织白介素12/信号转导子及转录激活子4(IL-12/STAT4)信号通路的影响及其在气道炎症中的作用。方法将40只雄性SD大鼠随机分成正常对照组(A组),哮喘模型组(B组),卡介菌多糖核酸组(C组)和地塞米松组(D组),每组10只。采用鸡清卵蛋白(OVA)致敏和激发的方法制备哮喘大鼠模型。苏木精-伊红(HE)染色观察肺组织病理形态学改变,用免疫组化法观察IL-12和STAT4在大鼠哮喘模型肺组织中的表达分布。结果模型组肺组织IL-12和STAT4蛋白表达较少,其平均灰度值显著高于对照组(P<0.01);地塞米松组和卡介菌多糖核酸组肺组织IL-12和STAT4蛋白表达较多,其平均灰度值显著低于哮喘组(P<0.01),而地塞米松组和卡介菌多糖核酸组之间差异无统计学意义;卡介菌多糖核酸组STAT4的表达与IL-12呈正相关(r为0.908,P<0.01)。结论卡介菌多糖核酸调节气道炎症可能是通过调控IL-12/STAT4信号通路的基因表达实现的。     

Early interleukin 4-dependent response can induce airway hyperreactivity before development of airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma

In experimental models of bronchial asthma with mice, airway inflammation and increase in airway hyperreactivity (AHR) are induced by a combination of systemic sensitization and airway challenge with allergens. In this report, we present another possibility: that systemic antigen-specific sensitization alone can induce AHR before the development of inflammation in the airway. Male BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) by a combination of intraperitoneal injection and aerosol inhalation, and various parameters for airway inflammation and hyperreactivity were sequentially analyzed. Bronchial response measured by a noninvasive method (enhanced pause) and the eosinophil count and interleukin (IL)-5 concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) gradually increased following the sensitization, and significant increase was achieved after repeated OVA aerosol inhalation along with development of histologic changes of the airway. In contrast, AHR was already significantly increased by systemic sensitization alone, although airway inflammation hardly developed at that time point. BALF IL-4 concentration and the expression of IL-4 mRNA in the lung reached maximal values after the systemic sensitization, then subsequently decreased. Treatment of mice with anti-IL-4 neutralizing antibody during systemic sensitization significantly suppressed this early increase in AHR. In addition, IL-4 gene-targeted mice did not reveal this early increase in AHR by systemic sensitization. These results suggest that an immune response in the lung in an early stage of sensitization can induce airway hyperreactivity before development of an eosinophilic airway inflammation in BALB/c mice and that IL-4 plays an essential role in this process. If this early increase in AHR does occur in sensitized human infants, it could be another therapeutic target for early prevention of the future onset of asthma.     

Status of Stat3 in an ovalbumin-induced mouse model of asthma: analysis of the role of Socs3 and IL-6

BACKGROUND: Stat3, Socs3 and cytokines play an integral role in the coordination and persistence of inflammation. However, a clear understanding of the role played by the Stat3/IL-6 and Socs3 pathway in airway inflammation is lacking. We report the alteration in the status of expression and activation of Stat3 by ovalbumin (OVA), and establish its relationship with Socs3 and IL-6 in the lungs of mice with eosinophilic pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. METHODS: Alterations in the expression of Stat3, Socs3 and IL-6 were determined in a murine model of asthma, where Balb/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA (OVA/OVA) and compared with control mice sensitized and challenged with saline (SAL) (SAL/SAL) mice. The OVA/OVA mice were characterized by a moderate increase in methacholine-induced specific airway resistance, the presence of 150 microg/ml of OVA-specific IgG and 8.93 microg/ml OVA-specific IgE antibody and elevated levels of eosinophils and Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In contrast SAL/SAL mice had low eosinophils, IL-4 and IL-5 and no OVA-specific IgG and IgE antibodies in the BALF. Stat3 and Socs3 expression profiles were monitored in OVA/OVA and Stat3- and Socs3-silenced OVA/OVA mice. Furthermore, expression of IL-6 in Stat3- and Socs3-silenced mice and the exogenous effect of IL-6 on Stat3 were studied. RESULTS: The results show that expression and activation of Stat3 mRNA and proteins are significantly low in lung of OVA/OVA mice in comparison to SAL/SAL mice following OVA challenge. An increased pool of Socs3 mRNA is observed in OVA/OVA mice with or without OVA challenge and in SAL/SAL mice 24 h after OVA challenge. Transient in vivo blocking of Socs3 gene by Socs3 siRNA restores the expression of IL-6 mRNA and protein in OVA/OVA mice, and nasal administration of recombinant IL-6 to OVA/OVA mice enhanced Stat3 mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that airway inflammation is associated with low expression of Stat3 and IL-6 and overexpression of Socs3 genes in a mouse model of asthma. Furthermore, IL-6 is under the influence of the Socs3 gene and may contribute to the negative regulation of Stat3 via IL-6 following a challenge with an allergen during the development of asthma.     

Effects of Angelicin on Ovalbumin (OVA)-Induced Airway Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Asthma

Angelicin, a furocoumarin found in Psoralea corylifolia L. fruit, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory activity. The purpose of this study was to determine the protective effects of angelicin on allergic asthma induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in mice. Mice were sensitized to OVA (on days 0 and 14) and challenged with OVA three times (on days 21 to 23). Angelicin (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally 1 h before OVA treatment after the initial OVA sensitization. The production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in BALF and IgE in the serum were measured by ELISA. Lung histological changes were detected by using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain. The results showed that angelicin significantly inhibited inflammatory cells infiltration into the lungs. Histological studies showed that angelicin significantly attenuated OVA-induced lung injury. Meanwhile, treatment of angelicin dose-dependently inhibited OVA-induced the production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in BALF and IgE in the serum. Furthermore, angelicin was found to inhibit airway hyperresponsiveness and NF-kB activation. In conclusion, our results suggested that angelicin inhibited allergic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness by inhibiting NF-kB activation.