骨髓与支气管哮喘嗜酸性粒细胞增多症的关系研究进展

产生于骨髓的嗜酸性粒细胞(Eos)在哮喘气道炎症中发挥重要作用.骨髓的造血机制构成了哮喘气道炎症形成过程的活性组分,如骨髓嗜酸性粒细胞及其祖细胞数量的增加;骨髓细胞表达致炎因子如IL-5 mRNA、蛋白质和IL-5受体等.治疗哮喘的药物如糖皮质激素能抑制骨髓嗜酸性粒细胞形成.骨髓和肺组织一样,可能成为抗哮喘治疗的另一重要靶器官.     

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。     

骨髓与支气管哮喘嗜酸性粒体细胞增多症的关系研究进展

产生于骨髓的嗜酸性粒细胞（Eos)在哮喘气道炎症中发挥重要作用。骨髓的造血机构成了哮喘气道炎症形成过程的活性组分，如骨髓嗜酸性粒细胞及其祖细胞数量的增加；骨髓细胞表达致炎因子如IL－5mRNA、蛋白质和IL－5受体等。治疗哮喘的药物如糖皮质激素能抑制骨髓嗜酸性粒细胞形成。骨髓和肺组织一样，可能成为抗哮喘治疗的另一种重要靶器官.     

Th17淋巴细胞及相关细胞因子加重哮喘小鼠气道炎症

目的:研究Th17淋巴细胞及其相关的细胞因子在加重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.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、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+细胞百分率情况.将外周血各T淋巴细胞亚群与BALF的中性粒细胞数作相关性分析.结果:哮喘组小鼠BALF中细胞数及中性粒细胞、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和IL-17的水平显著增高(P＜0.05),而IFN-γ的水平显著降低(P＜0.05),外周血Th2、Th17淋巴细胞占CD4+细胞百分比显著增高(P＜0.05),而Th1淋巴细胞占CD4+细胞百分比显著降低(P＜0.05).相关性分析显示Th1淋巴细胞与BALF的中性粒细胞数呈显著负相关(rThl=-0.446,P＜0.05),Th17淋巴细胞与BALF的中性粒细胞数呈显著正相关(rTh17=0.394,P＜0.05).结论:Th17淋巴细胞可促进中性粒细胞及炎性介质在哮喘小鼠气道内的聚集,加重气道炎症.     

金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素对小鼠慢性哮喘模型的抗炎作用

目的：用金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素A（SEA）和肠毒素B（SEB）干预幼年小鼠,观察它们对小鼠慢性哮喘气道炎症的影响以及对气道内相关细胞因子水平的调节作用。方法：实验组中BALB/c小鼠在出生后1周开始腹腔注射0.1 mL SEA或SEB（浓度1 mg/L）,隔天注射,共7次。其它小组注射相同剂量生理盐水对照。BALB/c 小鼠出生后4周建立哮喘模型,实验组和模型组分别在0、7和14 d用卵白蛋白（OVA）腹腔注射致敏,在28 d开始隔天OVA雾化激发哮喘,共7次,末次激发后24-48 h内取支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）,进行嗜酸性粒细胞和总白细胞计数,其余BALF离心-70 ℃冻存检测细胞因子,固定肺组织做病理切片分析。结果:SEA组和SEB组小鼠肺组织炎症反应轻于模型组,BALF中嗜酸性粒细胞数量少于模型组 (P＜0.05);SEA、SEB组BALF中Th1细胞因子干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）高于模型组(P＜0.05);而Th2细胞因子白细胞介素-4（IL-4）、白细胞介素-5（IL-5）和嗜酸性粒细胞趋化因子（eotaxin）均低于模型组(P＜0.01)。结论:早期感染 SEA、SEB可以减少小鼠慢性哮喘支气管肺泡灌洗液中嗜酸性粒细胞的数量,可能通过调节Th1/Th2细胞因子比值减轻气道中的哮喘炎症反应。     

雷公藤甲素对哮喘豚鼠肺内嗜酸性粒细胞IL-5等受体表达的影响

目的 观察哮喘豚鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液（bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,BALF)中不同密度嗜酸细胞（Eos)上白介素－5受体α（IL－5Rα）、IL－3Rα、粒细胞－巨噬细胞集落刺激因子受体α（GM－CSFRα）及共同β链受体（βcR)mRNA表达及雷公藤甲素（TP）对它们的影响，探讨TP促进哮喘Eos凋亡的机制。方法 健康豚鼠18只随机分为正常组、哮喘组、TP组。以卵蛋白致敏激发制作豚鼠哮喘模型，分离BALF中的低密度Eos(HEos)及正常密度Eos(NEos)，TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡，原位杂交检测各受体mRNA表达，RT－PCR法检测Eos IL-5Rα、IL－3Rα相对含量。结果 哮喘豚鼠Eos凋亡明显减少，而细胞数明显高于正常组。用TP 24h后不同密度Eos数量明显低于哮喘组（P＜0．01），以HEos下降为明显（P＜0．05）；TP组Eos凋亡明显高于哮喘组（P＜0．01）。哮喘豚鼠Eos表达α受体mRNA明显低于正常组，而βcR表达明显增高；TP处理组Eos各α受体mRNA表达均明显增加，βcR表达明显下降。RT－PCR检测显示，TP组IL－5Rα、IL－3RαmRNA显著增加。结论 哮喘Eos存在凋亡抑制；TP可通过促进IL－5、IL－3、GMPCSF受体各自α链表达，抑制这3种受体的共同β链表达，减少其生物学功能，促进Eos凋亡。     

地塞米松对哮喘豚鼠嗜酸细胞凋亡及bc1-2 mRNA表达的影响

目的观察地塞米松(DM)对哮喘豚鼠体外不同密度的嗜酸性粒细胞(Eos)凋亡及bc1-2表达的影响, 并探讨激素促进哮喘Eos凋亡的机制.方法以卵蛋白激发哮喘豚鼠模型48 h后, 进行支气管肺泡灌洗, 分离灌洗液中不同密度的Eos.加入DM(10 10～10 5mol/L),以原位杂交法检测Eos的bc1-2表达, TUNEL法检测Eos的凋亡.结果 DM干预24 h,可见Eos凋亡增加,bc1-2 mRNA表达降低,且呈剂量依赖性.bc1-2mRNA的表达与Eos凋亡呈负相关.结论 DM可抑制bc1-2的表达,促进Eos凋亡.bc1-2表达的减少可能是DM调节Eos凋亡的机制之一.     

地塞米松对哮喘大鼠嗜酸性粒细胞中p53表达的影响

目的： 研究支气管哮喘支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）嗜酸性粒细胞中凋亡相关基因p53的表达以及地塞米松对其的作用及其机制。方法： 将36只大鼠随机分为对照组、哮喘组和激素组，并对其BALF的嗜酸性粒细胞进行计数，以免疫印迹法(Western blotting)检测嗜酸性粒细胞中p53的表达。结果： 哮喘组BALF的 总细胞数及嗜酸性粒细胞均高于激素组及对照组（P<0.01）。哮喘组BALF的嗜酸性粒细胞中p53表达弱于激素组和对照组（P<0.01）。结论： 哮喘气道炎症与嗜酸性粒细胞生存增加亦即嗜酸细胞凋亡减少密切相关。糖皮质激素可诱导嗜酸性粒细胞凋亡，其机制可能与促嗜酸性粒细胞凋亡的p53表达有关。     

肺脏树突状细胞表面共刺激分子在小鼠哮喘模型中的表达

目的 通过检测哮喘小鼠肺组织中树突状细胞(dendritic cells,DC)表面共刺激分子的表达以及细胞因子分泌的能力,探讨哮喘发生免疫耐受缺陷的原因.方法 Balb/c小鼠60只,分为3组(每组20只):哮喘组、磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)对照组、健康对照组.对3组小鼠取肺组织做病理观察,行支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)计数细胞并分类,ELISA检测血清特异性IgE(sIgE)及BALF中细胞因子的水平.分离、培养肺脏DC,用流式细胞仪(FACS)测CD11c表达,并进一步用FACS分析哮喘小鼠DC表面共刺激分子CD11cCD80、CD11cCD86表达的变化.结果 哮喘小鼠肺组织表现为以嗜酸性粒细胞、淋巴细胞浸润为主的炎症改变,BALF中嗜酸性粒细胞计数显著增加(P＜0.01),血清sIgE水平显著升高(P＜0.01).与PBS对照组比较,哮喘小鼠CD11cCD80、CD11cCD86表达上调(P＜0.01),其分泌IL-10细胞因子的水平明显下降.结论 肺脏DC可能通过上调CD11cCD80、CD11cCD86在哮喘的免疫耐受缺陷中发挥作用.     

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.     

哮喘特异性免疫治疗诱导的卵蛋白致敏小鼠模型T细胞无能机制的探讨

目的:建立哮喘特异性免疫治疗小鼠模型,探讨特异性免疫治疗诱导T细胞无能的机制。方法:通过卵蛋白(OVA)皮下注射致敏,雾化吸入激发的方法,建立哮喘特异性免疫治疗的小鼠模型,并通过对肺组织病理切片及支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中的细胞计数及分类,用ELISA法检测血清OVA特异性IgE(sIgE)及脾脏T细胞IL2和IL4的分泌等证实。分离培养脾脏T细胞,用3HTdR掺入法检测其增殖反应;用流式细胞仪(FACS)检测其表面CTLA4分子的表达。结果:与对照组小鼠相比较,哮喘特异性免疫治疗后,小鼠肺组织的炎症病理变化减轻;BALF中嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)数、血清sIgE的水平、T细胞分泌IL2和IL4的水平以及小鼠对OVA刺激的反应性均显著降低(P<0.01);但T细胞表面CTLA4分子的表达明显上调。结论:建立了哮喘特异性免疫治疗的小鼠模型。T细胞表面CTLA4分子表达的上调可能是哮喘特异性免疫治疗诱导T细胞无能的机制之一。     

Aspergillus antigen-induced eosinophil differentiation in a murine model.

Eosinophilia is a prominent feature of the cellular response in allergic and parasitic diseases. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis due to colonization of the lungs of some asthmatics with Aspergillus fumigatus is characterized by high levels of serum immunoglobulin E and peripheral blood (PB) and lung eosinophilia. This study investigates the role of eosinophils in the pathogenesis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis by using a mouse model. BALB/c mice were immunized intranasally and intraperitoneally with A. fumigatus antigens (Ag), and the eosinophils in PB and bone marrow (BM) were enumerated. Eosinophilopoiesis in BM cultures was studied in the presence of murine recombinant interleukin-5 (mrIL-5) and supernatants from pokeweed mitogen-stimulated spleen cells as the source of eosinophil differentiation factors. Eosinophils were quantitated by direct counting and by estimating eosinophil peroxidase activity. The results indicate that the percentage of eosinophils in the PB (5.77 +/- 1.17) and the BM (11.19 +/- 4.31) of mice exposed to A. fumigatus Ag was higher than in controls (PB, 2.42 +/- 0.76; BM, 5.12 +/- 2.79; P less than 0.01 for both). Similarly, a significant increase in eosinophils was observed in the BM population from mice exposed to A. fumigatus Ag compared with that in controls when cultured with murine recombinant interleukin-5 (23.13 +/- 7.14 versus 13.77 +/- 5.79, P less than 0.01), indicating that the mice exposed to A. fumigatus Ag had significantly greater numbers of eosinophil precursors in their BM. This study demonstrates that A. fumigatus Ag may be involved in the in vivo commitment of stem cells in the eosinophil differentiation pathway.     

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。     

Effect of proteolytic activity of Epicoccum purpurascens major allergen, Epi p 1 in allergic inflammation

Enzymes play an important role in inducing airway inflammation, but knowledge is limited to few proteins. This study was carried out to assess the role of Epi p 1, a serine protease of Epicoccum purpurascens, in inducing allergy and inflammation in a murine model. Balb/c mice were sensitized with Epi p 1 active protease (EAP) or Epicoccum extract. Subsequently, Epi p 1 sensitized mice were boosted on day 14 with EAP or inactivated protease (EIAP). Three intranasal challenges were given and mice were killed to obtain blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), spleen and lung tissues. Cellular airways infiltration, immunoglobulin E (Ig)E titres and cytokine levels in BALF and splenocyte culture supernatant were compared. Mice immunized with EAP had higher Epi p 1-specific serum IgE and IgG1 than EIAP immunized mice (P < 0.01). There was a twofold difference in the number of eosinophils in BALF of EAP mice and EIAP mice (P < 0.01). A similar trend was recorded for eosinophil peroxidase activity (P < 0.05), indicating the role of proteolytic activity in inducing inflammation. Further, lung histology revealed increased leucocyte infiltration and airway narrowing, with higher inflammation scores in the EAP group than in the EIAP group. The lungs of EAP mice showed increased mucus and goblet cell metaplasia. Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 levels were higher in BALF and splenocyte culture supernatant of EAP mice than in EIAP mice (P < 0.05), indicating a T helper 2 response. Proteolytic activity of Epi p 1 plays an important role in inducing allergic inflammation. The enzymatically inactive form may be investigated for immunotherapy.     

脐带血的T淋巴细胞集落培养

本文应用细胞培养和免疫间接荧光法测定脐血，正常人体外周血和成人骨髓的Ｔ淋巴细胞集落形成情况及培养前后淋巴细胞亚群的变化，结果表明：脐血的ＣＦｕ－ＴＬ显著低于正常人外周血（Ｐ〈０．０１），略低于成人骨髓（Ｐ〉０．０５）培养脐血的ＣＤ３，ＣＤ４细胞含量均显著低于正常人外周血（Ｐ〈０．０１），与成人骨髓相近似（Ｐ〉０．０５）脐血的ＣＤ８细胞含量与正常人外周血和成人骨髓相似（Ｐ〉０．０５）；培养后的ＣＦｕ     

The role of 5-lipoxygenase products in the development of airway responsiveness induced by platelet activating factor inhalation in dogs]

To determine whether 5-lipoxygenase products are involved in the development of airway responsiveness and in the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the airway after platelet activating factor (PAF) inhalation, we studied the effect of a selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, AA-861 on PAF-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and on the increase of neutrophil and eosinophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after PAF inhalation in seven dogs. Airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine was determined by modified Astograph (7Hz oscillation method). PAF (1000 mu/ml) was delivered as an aerosol, generated from a Devilbiss 646 nebulizer for ten minutes. Airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine increased significantly 3 hr after PAF inhalation (p less than 0.01). After PAF inhalation, neutrophil and eosinophil counts in BALF increased significantly (p less than 0.01), and the levels of thromboxane (Tx)B2 in BALF also increased (p less than 0.05). Pretreated AA-861 significantly inhibited the increase of airway responsiveness after PAF inhalation (p less than 0.01). The increase of neutrophil and eosinophil counts in BALF after PAF inhalation was also inhibited significantly by pretreated AA-861 (p less than 0.01). The levels of TxB2 in BALF did not change after PAF inhalation following pretreatment with AA-861. These results suggest that 5-lipoxygenase products play important roles in the increase of airway responsiveness and in the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the airway after PAF inhalation in dogs. TxA2 released from inflammatory cells may be involved in the increase of airway responsiveness induced by PAF inhalation.     

Induction, distribution and modulation of upper airway allergic inflammation in mice

BACKGROUND: To further elucidate mechanisms of human allergic rhinosinusitis, we studied the induction, distribution and modulation of allergen-induced upper airway inflammation in a BALB/c mouse model. METHODS: Allergic inflammation induced with ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal (IP) injection in alum was compared to repeated intranasal instillation. The type and distribution of inflammatory cells was compared in the respiratory and olfactory epithelial compartments. Eosinophil distribution was assessed using Scarlet Red stain and a polyclonal antibody recognizing eosinophil major basic protein (MBP). The role of interleukin (IL)-5 in upper airway inflammation was tested by administration of polyclonal anti-IL-5 antibody during the sensitization protocol. RESULTS: Unsensitized control mice receiving saline failed to develop upper airway eosinophil infiltration. IP OVA-sensitized mice developed marked upper airway mucosal eosinophil infiltration after aerosol OVA challenge, whereas repeated intranasal instillation of OVA produced qualitatively similar, but less intense eosinophil infiltration. Using either sensitization protocol, eosinophil infiltration was seen in areas of the lower portion of the nasal septum, the floor and the lower lateral walls of the mid-caudal region of the nasal cavity. Immunofluorescence staining for MBP confirmed this distribution of eosinophils but also demonstrated some eosinophils in the maxillary sinuses and in circumscribed regions of the ethmoturbinates. All areas of eosinophil infiltration were lined by respiratory epithelium. The selective infiltration of respiratory but not olfactory epithelium by eosinophils was unassociated with a measurable induction of epithelial ICAM-1 or eotaxin expression. OVA-induced upper airway eosinophil infiltration was found to be IL-5 dependent, since administration of a polyclonal anti-IL-5 antibody (TRFK-5) during OVA sensitization resulted in a marked modulation (80% decrease) in eosinophil infiltration in response to subsequent OVA challenge. CONCLUSION: The mouse upper airway, specifically in areas containing respiratory epithelium, is a target for OVA-induced allergic inflammation. This selective infiltration of respiratory, but not olfactory, epithelium is, in part, dependent upon IL-5. This model is useful for further dissection of the inflammatory response with genetic manipulations and targeted immunological approaches.     

Eosinophil infiltration in posttransurethral resection prostatitis and cystitis with special reference to sequential changes of eosinophilia

Posttransurethral resection (TUR) status in the prostate and urinary bladder has been infrequently documented. Furthermore, sequential changes in eosinophil count in peripheral blood (PB) after TUR have not been investigated in detail. In the present study, eosinophil counts and changes in eosinophils in PB were examined before to after TUR of the prostate (P) in 20 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Among them, 14 patients exhibited increased numbers of eosinophils, the greatest increase being 17%. After TUR to treat bladder tumor (BT), massive infiltration of eosinophils into the resected areas, peaking 1 month later, was also detected in 8 of 15 cases of post-TUR cystitis. The PB eosinophil counts increased by more than 5% in two of five cases of post-TUR cystitis in which eosinophil counts were obtained before and after surgery. Most infiltrating eosinophils reacted positively to antibodies to eosinophil cationic proteins. These results indicated that, in patients with post-TUR prostatitis, the number of eosinophils in PB increased, and peaked 1 month later, with infiltration by eosinophils observed. Pathologists and urologists should be aware of the potential for increase in eosinophils not only in regions of TUR but also in PB.     

Lung granulomatous response induced by infection with the intestinal nematode Nippostrongylusbrasiliensis is suppressed in mast cell-deficient Ws/Ws rats

Certain nematode infections induce eosinophil infiltration and granulomatous responses in the lungs. To examine the role of mast cells in the development of lung lesions, normal +/+ and genetically mast cell-deficient Ws/Ws rats were infected with the nematode Nippostrongylusbrasiliensis. In +/+ rats, numbers of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) increased significantly 3–7 days after infection, and granulomatous responses composed of histiocytes/macrophages and multinucleate giant cells were triggered in the lungs 3–14 days after infection. Challenge infection, which was carried out on day 28 after primary infection, induced much higher levels of granulomatous response than after primary infection, suggesting that the response is mediated at least in part by an immunological mechanism. In Ws/Ws rats, both the eosinophil percentage in BALF and the size of the granulomas in the lungs were significantly smaller than in +/+ rats after primary as well as after challenge infection. The amount of rat mast cell protease (RMCP) II in +/+ rat BALF was increased 1 day after primary infection and more significantly after challenge infection, suggesting that lung mucosal mast cells were activated more markedly after the challenge infection. In Ws/Ws rats, RMCP II was undetectable throughout the observation period. The time course of nematode migration in the lungs did not differ in +/+ and Ws/Ws rats. These results suggest that mast cell activation might be relevant to eosinophil infiltration and granulomatous response in the lungs, although the responses do not affect lung migration of the nematode.     

Effect of suplatast tosilate (IPD-1151T) on a mouse model of asthma: inhibition of eosinophilic inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness

BACKGROUND: Suplatast tosilate (IPD) is a newly developed 'anti-allergic' drug. It seems to be a unique compound because of its ability to suppress IgE but not IgG or IgM production in vivo and cytokine production from type 2 helper T cells (Th2) in vitro. However, information on its in vivo effect on an animal model of asthma is limited. METHOD: BALB/c mice sensitized to ovalbumin (3 times, 2-week interval) were challenged with ovalbumin by inhalation (50 mg/ml for 20 min, once a day for 6 days). In this study, we explored the influence of IPD on eosinophil infiltration into the airways, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine, specific IgE antibody production, and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) using this murine model. RESULTS: Treatment with IPD significantly reduced the number of total cells and eosinophils in BALF (around -40%) and almost completely inhibited the development of antigen-induced BHR. Histological findings confirmed the reduction of submucosal cell infiltration in the lung, and disclosed the marked inhibition of bronchial epithelial cell damage. Ovalbumin-specific IgE was slightly but significantly reduced. The levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF were significantly decreased in mice treated with the compound compared to those in untreated mice. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that IPD is capable of inhibiting the production of Th2 cytokines, which inhibit eosinophil infiltration into the murine airway, IgE synthesis, and development of BHR, in a murine model of asthma.