Antigen-binding characteristics of circulating IgG autoantibodies to cytokeratin 18 protein in patients with nonallergic asthma

Cytokeratin 18 (CK18) protein was identified as an airway epithelial cell autoantigen associated with nonallergic asthma. Cleavage of CK18 protein by caspase-3 is a marker of early apoptosis in epithelial cells. It has been shown that the expression of active caspase-3 was increased in bronchial epithelial cells of asthmatic patients, when compared with healthy controls. To investigate the antigen-binding characteristics of IgG autoantibodies to CK18 protein in nonallergic asthma, the bindings of IgG autoantibodies to the fragments of CK18 protein cleaved by caspase-3 were analyzed by Western blot using serum samples from three patients with nonallergic asthma. Recombinant human CK18 protein was treated by caspase-3 and cleaved into N-terminal fragment (1-397 amino acids) and C-terminal fragment (398-430 amino acids). The binding capacity of IgG autoantibodies to N-terminal fragment of CK18 was maintained in one patient and reduced in other two patients. IgG autoantibodies from all three patients did not bind to C-terminal fragment of CK 18. In conclusion, IgG autoantibodies to CK18 protein from patients with nonallergic asthma seems to preferentially bind to the whole molecule of CK18 protein and their antigen-binding characteristics were heterogeneous among the patients with nonallergic asthma.     

Leukotriene-related gene polymorphisms in patients with aspirin-intolerant urticaria and aspirin-intolerant asthma: differing contributions of ALOX5 polymorphism in Korean population

The pathogenesis of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA)-intolerant urticaria (AIU) is still poorly understood but it has recently been suggested that it is associated with the overproduction of leukotriene (LT). This is supported by evidence that cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor is given safely to patients with AIU. The present study was designed to investigate the role of genetic polymorphism of LT related genes in the pathogenesis of AIU via a case-control study. We screened single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding enzymes involved in leukotriene synthesis in the Korean population with AIU (n = 101), ASA-intolerant asthma (AIA, n = 95) and normal healthy controls (n = 123). Genotype was determined by primer extension reactions using the SNapShot ddNTP primer extension kit. Among 8 SNPs of four LT related genes, the polymorphism of ALOX5 at positions of -1708 G > A showed significant difference in genotype frequency between AIU and AIA (p = 0.01). Furthermore, there were significant differences observed in the frequencies of two ALOX5 haplotypes between the AIU group and AIA group (p < 0.05). However, there were no differences in allele, genotype, or haplotype frequencies of ALOX5 between the AIU group and the normal control group. These results suggested that ALOX5 has a differing contribution in two major clinical pathogenesis related to ASA-sensitivity.     

Cromolyn sodium suppresses eosinophilic inflammation in patients with aspirin-intolerant asthma.

BACKGROUND: Although administration of cromolyn sodium is one of the most useful drugs for the treatment of aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA), both its pharmacologic mechanism of action and association with the pathogenesis remain obscure. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of cromolyn sodium on airway responsiveness to the sulpyrine provocation test, and to examine whether its activity is associated with a reduction in eosinophilic inflammation. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive cromolyn sodium (20 mg/2 mL, or 1 ampoule; Fujisawa, Osaka, Japan) or matching placebo (2 mL of saline) four times daily for 1 week. We evaluated the effects of pretreatment with cromolyn sodium on bronchoconstriction precipitated by inhalation of sulpyrine in 16 adult patients with mild or moderate AIA; those who were in stable clinical condition were allocated to this study. A double-blind, randomized, crossover design was used. Blood and sputum samples were taken in the morning on the sulpyrine provocation testing day. Eosinophil counting and measurement of eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) were performed. RESULTS: Inhaled cromolyn sodium protect against aspirin-induced attacks of asthma through mechanisms not related to the bronchodilator property, but related to the improvement of the bronchial hypersensitivity, almost completely in all patients (P < 0.001). After 1 week's treatment with cromolyn sodium, patients' symptoms, blood and sputum eosinophils counts, and sputum ECP levels were significantly decreased compared with both placebo and baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Cromolyn sodium has a bronchial anti-inflammatory effect associated with decreased eosinophilic infiltration. This is the first report that cromolyn sodium reduces blood and sputum eosinophils counts and sputum ECP levels in AIA.     

let-7在小鼠哮喘模型气道炎性反应中的作用及机制

目的 观察let-7家族微RNA抑制剂(anti-let-7)对支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)小鼠气道炎性反应的影响,并探讨let-7参与哮喘形成的机制.方法 32只小鼠按随机数字法分为4组(n=8),即正常对照组(A组)、哮喘组(B组)、干预对照组(C组)和干预组(D组).其中B、C和D组用鸡卵蛋白(OVA)免疫,建立哮喘模型,A组以生理盐水替代OVA处理.D组小鼠激发前注射anti-let-7以抑制内源性let-7表达,C组小鼠注射乱序siRNA对照.比较各组小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)的细胞计数,肺组织中let-7e以及BALF中白细胞介素-10(IL-10)含量;体外用anti-let-7转染肺癌细胞A549,并检测细胞中let-7e表达和细胞培养上清中IL-10的含量;荧光素酶报告法检测let-7e是否直接靶向IL-10.结果 与A组相比,B组和C组小鼠BALF中细胞总数和嗜酸粒细胞数显著增加[(20.32±5.33)×109/L和(24.74±6.69)×109/L比(7.12± 1.88)×109/L,(6.45±2.5)×109/L和(7.12±2.66)×109/L比(0.04±0.01)×109/L,均P＜0.01];肺组织中let-7e水平明显升高(分别为3.83倍和3.27倍,均P＜0.01).与C组比较,D组BALF中细胞总数和嗜酸粒细胞数明显减少[(13.85±3.74)× 109/L比(24.74±6.69)×109/L,(2.15±1.13)×109/L比(7.12±2.66)×109/L,均P＜0.05];肺组织中let-7e显著降低[(0.45±0.22)比(3.28±0.45),P＜0.01],同时BALF中IL-10水平明显升高[(4.68±0.85)比(1.70±0.29),P＜0.01].此外,在肺癌细胞A549 中转染anti-let-7,let-7e表达显著下降[(0.22±0.03)比(1.00±0.11),P＜0.01],同时培养上清中IL-10明显上升[(2.58±0.35)比(1.00±0.15),P＜0.01].体外let-7e过表达显著降低IL-10报告载体的荧光素酶活性[(0.59±0.06)比(1.00±0.03),P＜0.01],而对突变的IL-10报告载体没有抑制作用.结论 anti-let-7对哮喘小鼠气道炎性反应具有明显的抑制作用,其作用机制可能与let-7直接靶向并抑制IL-10有关.     

High prevalence of autoantibodies to C-reactive protein in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection: association with liver fibrosis and portal inflammation

The presence of autoantibodies against C-reactive protein (anti-CRP) has been reported in association with autoimmunity and histopathology in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Resistin could play a role in the pathogenesis of hepatitis, although results on HCV infection are ambiguous. Here we retrospectively analyzed anti-CRP and resistin levels in the sera of 38 untreated and well-characterized HCV patients at the time of their first liver biopsy. HCV activity and general health were assessed by a physician at least yearly until follow-up ended. Anti-CRP and resistin were also measured in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Anti-CRP antibodies were registered in all HCV patients, whereas only a few AIH (11%) and NAFLD (12%) sera were positive. Anti-CRP levels were related to histopathological severity and were highest in patients with cirrhosis at baseline. Resistin levels were similar in HCV, AIH, and NAFLD patients, but high levels of resistin were associated with early mortality in HCV patients. Neither anti-CRP nor resistin predicted a response to interferon-based therapy or cirrhosis development or was associated with liver-related mortality. We conclude that anti-CRP antibodies are frequently observed in chronic HCV infection and could be a useful marker of advanced fibrosis and portal inflammation.     

Anti-IgE: lessons learned from effects on airway inflammation and asthma exacerbation

Omalizumab is an mAb that binds free IgE and ultimately reduces the density of IgE-loaded receptors on IgE effector cells. Because IgE effector cells, such as mast cells and basophils, are a source of proinflammatory chemokines, cytokines, and proteases, it is not surprising that omalizumab has anti-inflammatory effects, most notably large effects in reducing airway eosinophilia. What has been surprising is the nature of the clinical effects of omalizumab. Rates of exacerbation in omalizumab-treated patients are approximately half those in placebo-treated patients. This important clinical effect has occurred despite the fact that omalizumab does not improve nonspecific bronchial hyperesponsiveness and does not have large effects on airflow. The unsuspected dissociations among asthma outcomes uncovered during clinical trials of omalizumab remind us that mysteries remain for how inflammation, remodeling, and airway function are linked in asthma.     

Dihydroartemisinin suppresses ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in a mouse allergic asthma model

Abstract

Asthma is a complex disease characterized by reversible airway obstruction, airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and chronic inflammation of the airways. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Artemisia annua, has been shown to possess antimalarial and antitumor activities, but whether it can be used in asthma treatment has not been investigated. In this study, we attempted to determine whether DHA regulates inflammatory mediators in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse asthma model. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged by OVA to induce chronic airway inflammation. The intragastrical administration of DHA at 30?mg/kg significantly decreased the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells, T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines, OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and AHR. Treatment with DHA also attenuated OVA-induced mRNA expression of Muc5ac and chitinase 3-like protein 4 (Ym2) in lung tissues. In addition, lung histopathological studies revealed that DHA inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion. Then signal transduction studies showed that DHA significantly inhibited extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. DHA also inhibited nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation via the inhibition of phosphorylation of IκBα. These findings provide new insight into the immunopharmacological role of DHA in terms of its effects in a mouse model of asthma.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of roxithromycin in patients with aspirin-intolerant asthma

BACKGROUND: Fourteen-membered macrolides, such as roxithromycin, have been reported to exhibit other pharmacological activity including anti-asthmatic effects, besides antibiotic activity. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of roxithromycin on airway responsiveness to the sulpyrine provocation test and to investigate whether this protective activity is associated with a reduction in aspirin-induced excretion of urinary leucotriene E4 (u-LTE4), a marker of cysteinyl leucotriene overproduction that participates in the pathogenesis of aspirin-intolerant asthma. Also, the present study was designed to examine whether or not its anti-asthmatic activity was associated with a reduction in eosinophilic inflammation. METHODS: For 8 weeks before analysis, subjects received 150 mg of roxithromycin or matching placebo twice daily. We assessed the effects of pretreatment with roxithromycin on bronchoconstriction precipitated by inhalation of sulpyrine in 14 adult patients with mild or moderate aspirin-intolerant asthma; those who were in stable clinical condition and were hyperresponsive to sulpyrine provocation test were allocated to this study. A double-blind, randomized, crossover design was used. Urinary LTE4 was measured by a combined reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (rp-HPLC) enzyme immunoassay on sulpyrine provocation testing day. Blood and sputum samples were taken in the morning on the sulpyrine provocation testing day. Eosinophil counting and measurement of eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) were performed. RESULTS: After the 8 weeks of treatment with roxithromycin, patients' symptoms, blood eosinophils, serum ECP, sputum eosinophils, and sputum ECP were significantly decreased. On the other hand, values of PC20-sulpyrine did not improve after roxithromycin at all. Furthermore, although challenge with sulpyrine caused a significant increase in u-LTE4, pretreatment with roxithromycin or placebo did not affect excretion of u-LTE4. CONCLUSION: Although roxithromycin does not have antileucotriene effects, it has an antibronchial inflammatory effect associated with eosinophilic infiltration. This study raises further interesting therapeutic possibilities and warrants further trials of new approaches to the treatment of aspirin-intolerant asthma.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">ADAM33 </Emphasis>polymorphisms are associated with aspirin-intolerant asthma in the Japanese population

Multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within ADAM33 have been reported to be associated with asthma and bronchial hyper-responsiveness in Caucasian populations. We examined whether these SNPs contribute to a predisposition to asthma, especially aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA), in the Japanese population. Ten polymorphic sites (ST+4, ST+7, T1, T2, T+1, V-3, V-2, V-1, V4, V5) were genotyped in 102 AIA patients, 282 aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) patients and 120 control (CTR) subjects by direct sequencing. Haplotype frequencies were estimated by the expectation-maximization method. Differences in allele and haplotype frequencies among phenotypes were analyzed by the chi-square and permutation tests. ST+7, V-1 and V5 sites in the AIA group were significantly different from those in the ATA group (P=0.034–0.004) and from those in the CTR group (P=0.019–0.002). Haplotypes at three sites (ST+7, V-1, and V5) were significantly different in frequency between the AIA and ATA (P=0.008) or CTR (P=0.001) groups. Sequence variations in ADAM33 are likely to correlate with susceptibility to AIA in the Japanese population. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.     

钙激活氯通道与哮喘黏液过度分泌及气道炎症的关系

哮喘的一个重要特征是杯状细胞增生和黏液过度分泌,大量黏液难以清除引起小气道阻塞并导致气道高反应性,急性哮喘死亡患者尸检显示大小气道均有杯状细胞增生和黏液过度分泌,这种黏液过度分泌导致的气道阻塞是重症哮喘主要死因之一,有研究证实黏液过度分泌是第1秒用力呼气容积(FEV1)下降加速的独立危险因素[1].     

Difficult asthma in children: an analysis of airway inflammation

BACKGROUND: Difficult asthma in children displays distinct clinical patterns, and its physiopathology remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of the bronchial inflammatory profile in children with difficult asthma. METHODS: We performed endobronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage in 28 children with persistent bronchial obstruction despite high doses of inhaled corticosteroids and regular treatment with long-acting beta(2)-agonists: 13 had persistent symptoms and 15 had few or no symptoms. RESULTS: The number of eosinophils (P =.03) and neutrophils (P =.04) in the epithelium was significantly higher in symptomatic children than in children with few symptoms. Reticular basement membrane thicknening was similar in both groups. IFNgamma levels (P =.03) and IFNgamma/IL-4 ratio (P =.01) were significantly higher in children with few symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In symptomatic children, T(H)2-type inflammation was associated with the presence of activated eosinophils in the epithelium, whereas asthma in children with few symptoms was associated with an increase in T(H)1 cytokine levels. The high levels of IFNgamma suggest that this T(H)1 cytokine may modulate the local inflammatory response.     

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins attenuate airway inflammation in asthma by inhibiting dendritic cells maturation

To date, although a promising anti-inflammatory activity of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) has been observed in asthma, the mechanism responsible for these immunomodulatory properties remains obscure. Dendritic cells (DCs) that reside in the airway have been widely perceived as an important contributor to asthma. Our study was to demonstrate OPCs’ effects on maturation and immunoregulation of pulmonary CD11c⁺ dendritic cells (DCs). BALB/c mice were exposed to ovalbumin (OVA) to induce murine model of asthma. In addition, pulmonary DCs and bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) cultures were used to evaluate impacts of OPCs on DCs function. The results obtained here indicated that OPCs treatment dramatically reduced airway inflammation, such as the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the levels of allergen-specific serum IgE and Th2 cytokines. The expression of co-stimulatory molecules especially CD86 distributed on pulmonary DCs and bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) also markedly declined. The phosphorylation of cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) was significantly inhibited while no changes were observed in the expression of cAMP responsive element modulator (CREM). By transferring BMDCs into the airways of naïve mice, we found that OPCs-treated DCs (DC + OVA + OPC) were much less potent in promoting CD4⁺ T cells proliferation than OVA-pulsed DCs (DC + OVA), followed by the ameliorated eosinophilic inflammation in airway. Our findings tailor a novel profile of OPCs in the regulation of DCs function, shedding new light on the therapeutic potential of OPCs in asthma management.     

转化生长因子-β在哮喘气道炎症与重塑中的作用

Transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) was reported to be increased in asthma in some studies. Accumulation of TGF-β in airway promotes smooth muscle cell mitogenesis and hyperplasia, and in-duces fibroblast and myofibroblast and smooth muscle proliferation as well as increase in protein synthesis in connective tissue(such as collagen deposition on the reticular basement membrane). The autocrine induction of collagen expression by smooth muscle may contribute to the thickening of the reticular basement membrane, irre-versible f‘throsis and remodeling seen in the airways in some asthmatics. TGF-β is considered to be a major fi-brogenic cytokine. It can increase smooth muscle mass and lead to severe bronchial obstruction in an asthma at-tack.     

Toll样受体4/核因子-κB对哮喘大鼠气道炎症和重构的影响

目的: 探讨TLR4/NF-κB对哮喘大鼠气道炎症和气道重构的影响。方法: 将18只SD大鼠随机分成3组:对照组、哮喘4周组和哮喘8周组,每组6只。造模成功后,利用HE染色、免疫组织化学方法及病理图像分析系统分析大鼠气道平滑肌的嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)浸润情况、气道壁厚度以及增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)和Bcl-2的蛋白表达量。利用RT-PCR和Western blotting检测ASM中TLR4和NF-κB的mRNA及蛋白表达。结果: 哮喘4周组和哮喘8周组的气道壁EOS计数、气道壁厚度、气道反应性均较正常对照组显著增加(P<0.01);哮喘4周组和哮喘8周组的TLR4及NF-κB的mRNA水平和蛋白表达与对照组比较均显著增加(P<0.01);TLR4及NF-κB的mRNA水平随哮喘天数的增加而显著增加(P<0.01);哮喘4周组、哮喘8周组PCNA和Bcl-2的蛋白表达量均显著高于正常对照组(P<0.01);哮喘两组间上述指标差异显著(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论: TLR4/NF-κB可能参与哮喘大鼠气道炎症和气道重构的调控。     

Effect of combination treatment with Lactobacillus rhamnosus and corticosteroid in reducing airway inflammation in a mouse asthma model

BackgroundAsthma is a complex multifactorial chronic airway inflammatory disease with diverse phenotypes and levels of severity and is associated with significant health and economic burden. In a certain population of asthma patients, the symptoms cannot be well controlled with steroid. There has been long standing interest in the use of probiotics for treating allergic diseases. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) with prednisolone could reduce the dosage of glucocorticoid in controlling airway inflammation in a murine model for allergic asthma.Material and methodsWe used Der p 2-sensitized asthma model in female BALB/c mice. The animals were treated with 75 μl or 50 μl oral prednisolone or combination treatment of these two doses of oral prednisolone with LGG. Airway hyperresponsiveness, serum specific IgE/IgG1/IgG2a, infiltrating inflammatory cells in lung and cytokines were assessed.ResultsCompared to 75 μl prednisolone, a lower dose of prednisolone with 50 μl was less satisfactory in suppressing airway hyperresponsives, serum IgE and IgG1, Th2 cytokines and inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17 as well as infiltrating inflammatory cells. However, combination of 50 μl prednisolone and LGG decreased airway resistance and serum IgE and IgG1, inhibited the production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13 and IL-17, upregulated serum IgG2a and enhanced Th1 immune response.ConclusionsLGG may reduce the dosage of prednisolone and thus may be beneficial in the treatment of asthma.     

T and B cell immune response to a 55-kDa endothelial cell-derived antigen in severe asthma

Current concepts on the pathogenesis of chronic asthma emphasize the role of several inflammatory cell populations and their respective mediators that interact in a complex network. However, beside inflammatory cells, lymphocytes are also present in asthmatic airways. Although little is known about their involvement in asthma, it has been suggested that lymphocytes may participate in the development of chronic inflammation either through lymphokine secretion or through antibody production. In this study, we describe circulating IgG autoantibodies, directed against a common 55-kDa antigen shared by platelets and cultured endothelial cells, and found in 34 out of 97 asthmatic patients. Among epidemiological, clinical and biological characteristics of these asthmatic patients, the anti-55-kDa antigen antibodies are mainly restricted to patients with negative cutaneous prick tests (p = 0.0014), and corticosteroid-dependent asthma (p = 0.0036). These antibodies were also detected in a few patients with autoimmune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus (3/30) or rheumatoid arthritis (2/36). Both platelet and endothelial cell antigens were cross-reactive, had an isoelectric point between 8.0 and 9.0, were unsensitive to reducing agents such as 2-mercaptoethanol. and were not present on either platelet or endothelial cell surface, as determined by immunostaining assay. [³H] Thymidine incorporation assay with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients in the presence or in the absence of 55-kDa antigen, purified from nitrocellulose sheets demonstrated a specific incorporation in 6 out of 13 patients with circulating anti-55-kDa antigen antibodies, with index values ranging from 12 to 3. Such a T cell reactivity has also been observed in 3 out to 17 patients without detectable serum anti-55-kDa antigen antibodies. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between index values of antigen-specific T cell reactivity and the forced expiratory volume in one second (r = 0.544, p = 0.003). Our data indicate that the detection of such antibodies allows to distinguish a subgroup of asthmatics in terms of severity and to suggest a relationship between clinical severity and T and B cell autoreactivity to the 55-kDa platelet/endothelial cell antigen.     

气道应用T-bet重组腺病毒抑制哮喘小鼠过敏性气道炎症

目的探讨气道应用T-bet重组腺病毒(AdT-bet)对哮喘小鼠气道炎症反应的影响及机制。方法C57BL/6小鼠随机分为4组,实验组(A组)、对照病毒组(B组)、PBS对照组(C组)和正常对照组(D组),A、B、C组采用卵蛋白(OVA)、明矾建立哮喘模型,分别于第19天激发前气道内单次应用50μLAdT-bet(108pfu)、AdLacZ、PBS。26d取肺泡灌洗液(BALF)测定细胞成分、IL-4、IL-5、IFNγ浓度,取血测定血浆IgE水平,观察肺组织病理学变化及GATA-3表达。结果1)A组BALF中的嗜酸粒细胞(EOS)为(0.5±0.2)%明显低于B组(21.2±6.9)%和C组(20.9±6.8)%(P<0.01);2)A组BALF中的IL-4(6.7±3.8)pg/mL和IL-5(12.4±4.9)pg/mL的水平明显低于B组[IL-4(91.4±22.5)pg/mL和IL-5(55.6±10.6)pg/mL]和C组[IL-4(89.8±23.6)pg/mL和IL-5(56.7±11.5)pg/mL](P<0.01),而IFNγ的水平(710±45)pg/mL则明显高于B组(13.1±3.5...     

GATA-3在大鼠哮喘模型气道炎症中作用的实验研究

目的：探讨GATA-3在Wistar大鼠哮喘模型气道炎症中的作用。 方法： 按常用方法复制大鼠哮喘模型并分为哮喘组(A组)，地塞米松治疗组（D组），反义寡核苷酸治疗组（AS组），无意义寡核苷酸治疗组（NS组）和正常对照组（N组）5组，每组10只。反义寡核苷酸和无意义寡核苷酸经鼻气管内给药，地塞米松腹腔注射给药。HE染色方法观察气道炎症变化。免疫组化方法观察GATA-3阳性细胞数。用RT-PCR方法观察大鼠肺组织GATA-3 mRNA表达。用Western 蛋白印迹法检测肺组织中GATA-3蛋白质表达。 结果： A组GATA-3 mRNA和蛋白质的表达量及气道嗜酸性粒细胞浸润数量明显大于N组（P<0.01）。AS组和D组GATA-3 mRNA和蛋白质表达量及气道嗜酸性粒细胞浸润数量均明显低于A组（P<0.01）。NS组GATA-3 mRNA和蛋白质表达量和嗜酸性粒细胞浸润数量与A组相比差异无显著（P>0.05）。GATA-3的表达与大鼠支气管肺组织中嗜酸性粒细胞浸润数量呈正相关，r=0.995(P<0.01)。 结论： GATA-3反义寡核苷酸能特异性地抑制GATA-3基因的表达，减轻气道炎症反应。GATA-3 在Wistar大鼠哮喘模型效应阶段气道炎症中具有重要作用。