胸腺基质淋巴生成素受体及其抗体在哮喘小鼠气道炎症反应中的作用

目的 探讨胸腺基质淋巴生成素受体(TSLPR)及其抗体在实验性哮喘小鼠气道炎症反应中的作用以及对气道树突状细胞(DCs)成熟和活化的影响.方法 BALB/c小鼠随机分成A、B、C三组.B和C组小鼠腹腔注射卵清白蛋白(OVA)致敏,A组腹腔注射PBS作为正常对照.B和C组小鼠在OVA激发哮喘发作前分别吸入非特异性IgG和TSLPR IgG.采集各组小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)进行细胞分类计数,采用ELISA定量检测BALF中IL-4、IL-5、IFN-γ和IL-10浓度.采集各组小鼠肺组织标本进行病理学检查,采用流式细胞术分别检测各组小鼠淋巴结和肺组织中DCs数量和表型.结果 与A组小鼠比较,8和C组小鼠BALF中各种细胞因子水平均明显升高(P<0.01).C组小鼠BALF中IL-4和IL-5水平低于8组(P<0.05,P<0.01),IFN-γ和IL-10水平高于8组(P<0.05,P<0.01).C组小鼠BALF中细胞总数、嗜酸性粒细胞和淋巴细胞数也明显低于B组(P<0.01).B组小鼠支气管周围有大量炎性细胞浸润以及杯状细胞增生,黏液分泌增强,C组小鼠仅见微弱的炎性细胞浸润和杯状细胞增生.B组小鼠膈淋巴结中DCs数量以及肺组织中DCs的I-Ad、CD40、CD80和CD86表达水平均高于C组小鼠(P<0.05).结论 TSLP/TSLPR具有促哮喘效应并与其调节气道DCs活性的作用密切相关,TSLPR抗体干预可明显减弱TSLP/TSLPR上述作用,故有作为抗哮喘药物的前景.     

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.     

HDM通过肺泡巨噬细胞TLR4诱导哮喘小鼠气道炎症的机制研究

目的:研究HDM通过肺泡巨噬细胞(AM)Toll样受体4(TLR4)的高表达及诱导AM的活化,探讨其对哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响.方法:BALB/c小鼠随机分为哮喘模型组(OVA)A,HDM处理组(HDM+OVA)B,对照组(生理盐水)C.用卵白蛋白(OVA)致敏与激发建立小鼠哮喘模型;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和IFN-γ的含量,实时定量PCR法测定AM的TLR4的表达,流式细胞技术(FCM)检测AM的CD80、CD86的表达.结果:与A组相比,B组BALF上清中IL-4、IL-5和IL-13的水平显著增高(P<0.05),而IFN-γ差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),与A组相比,AM的TLR4mRNA表达明显增高(P<0.05),CD80的表达差异无统计学意义,CD86的表达水平显著增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论:HDM通过AM的TLR4的高表达诱导AM的活化,加重哮喘的气道炎症.     

抗IgE抗体对哮喘模型小鼠的气道高反应和Th2类细胞因子的影响

目的探讨抗IgE抗体在哮喘小鼠模型中对气道高反应及Th2类细胞因子变化的影响及其可能机制。方法雌性Balb/c小鼠30只随机分成3组,即正常对照组、哮喘模型组和抗IgE抗体干预组。分别采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)和蛋白质印迹检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)和肺组织中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13、IL-10、TGF-β1含量以及蛋白表达。应用小鼠肺功能仪检测气道阻力的变化。结果抗IgE抗体治疗组与哮喘模型组比较气道阻力明显降低。哮喘模型组小鼠BALF和肺组织中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13、IL-10、TGF-β1含量和蛋白表达明显升高,与正常对照组比较,显著差异(P<0.05)。抗IgE抗体干预组小鼠BALF和肺组织中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13含量和蛋白表达水平均明显降低;IL-10、TGF-β1含量和蛋白表达水平上升不明显,与哮喘模型组比较,没有显著差异(P>0.05)。结论抗IgE抗体对哮喘小鼠的治疗作用,其机制可能与调节Th2细胞所分泌的炎症细胞因子有关。     

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。     

Ag85B调节小鼠髓样树突状细胞的成熟和TSLP介导下TSLPR和OX40L的表达

目的:研究抗原85B(Ag85B)体外诱导小鼠未成熟的髓样树突状细胞(m DCs)的成熟以及对胸腺基质淋巴细胞生成素(TSLP)介导下m DCs表达TSLP受体(TSLPR)和OX40L的影响,探究Ag85B抑制哮喘气道炎症的可能机制。方法:应用重组小鼠GM-CSF和IL-4体外诱生C57BL/6小鼠未成熟的m DCs,并运用免疫磁珠分离的方法纯化,采用光镜和扫描电镜、流式细胞术进行形态学观察和细胞表型鉴定;分别用0、50、100、200μg/L不同浓度的Ag85B或TSLP作用于纯化并鉴定后的m DCs,培养24 h,流式细胞术检测细胞表面分子CD80、CD86、TSLPR和OX40L的表达,选取最佳的Ag85B或TSLP处理浓度。随后将m DCs随机分为空白对照组、Ag85B处理组、TSLP处理组和Ag85B+TSLP处理组,培养24 h后检测m DCs的促炎表面分子TSLPR和OX40L的表达。结果:体外诱导培养7 d,倒置相差显微镜下可见细胞表面呈现不规则树突样突起,扫描电镜下见细胞类圆形,表面有少量皱褶和较少分叉的树突状突起,符合未成熟m DCs的形态学特点;纯化后的m DCs表达表面分子CD11c的细胞较表达共刺激分子CD80和CD86的细胞多,符合未成熟m DCs的表型特征。与空白对照组比较,50~200μg/L的Ag85B处理组m DCs表达CD80和CD86的细胞比率显著增高(P0.05),表达TSLPR和OX40L的细胞比率无显著差异。与空白对照组相比较,50、100和200μg/L浓度的TSLP处理组的m DCs表达CD80和CD86的细胞比率均显著增加(P0.05);与空白对照组和50μg/L TSLP处理组相比较,100μg/L和200μg/L TSLP处理组的m DCs表达TSLPR和OX40L的细胞比率均显著升高(P0.05)。选取200μg/L作为Ag85B和TSLP的优化作用浓度,结果发现Ag85B处理组和Ag85B+TSLP处理组的m DCs表达TSLPR和OX40L的细胞比率较TSLP处理组均显著降低(P0.05),与空白对照组比较差异不显著。结论:Ag85B可通过上调m DCs表达共刺激分子CD80和CD86促进其成熟,同时下调TSLP介导的m DCs表达促炎表面分子TSLPR和OX40L,推测Ag85B可能通过TSLP介导的m DCs途径抑制气道炎症。     

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。     

地塞米松对呼吸道合胞病毒感染哮喘加重小鼠气道TSLP分泌及炎症的影响

目的:探讨地塞米松(DEX)对呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)感染哮喘加重小鼠胸腺基质淋巴细胞生成素(TSLP)分泌及气道炎症的影响。方法:雌性BALB/c小鼠32只,随机分成4组,分别为磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)对照组、鸡卵白蛋白(OVA)组、OVA/RSV组、OVA/RSV/DEX组;应用OVA腹腔注射致敏、OVA气道雾化结合RSV滴鼻激发哮喘,地塞米松1mg/kg肌肉注射;无创肺功能检测各组小鼠气道反应性;ELISA法检测小鼠血清IL-4、IL-5、IL-13、IFNγ-和气管灌洗液(BALF)TSLP含量;小鼠肺组织病理观察炎症反应,免疫组化观察小鼠气道上皮细胞TSLP表达水平。结果:无创肺功能检测显示地塞米松抑制RSV感染哮喘加重小鼠气道反应性的增高,OVA/RSV/DEX组小鼠Penh值明显低于OVA/RSV组(P<0.01);OVA/RSV/DEX组小鼠血清IL-4、IL-5、IL-13、IFNγ-浓度[分别为(86.78±27.04)、(227.66±40.87)、(194.65±73.27)和(17.33±3.06)pg/ml]和BALF中TSLP浓度[(1 873±10)pg/ml],均明显低于OVA/RSV组[分别为(274.2±103.7)、(293.3±46.1)、(330±93.5)、(30.1±5.7)、(2 127±46)pg/ml](P<0.01);病理观察显示地塞米松显著减轻RSV感染哮喘小鼠气道炎症细胞浸润;免疫组化染色证实地塞米松抑制RSV感染哮喘小鼠气道上皮细胞TSLP表达。结论:地塞米松可以抑制RSV感染哮喘加重小鼠气道上皮细胞表达TSLP,减轻RSV感染哮喘加重小鼠气道炎症反应。     

哮喘小鼠肺组织中转录因子RORγt的表达与气道炎症的关系

目的:探讨Th17细胞转录因子RORγt在支气管哮喘小鼠肺组织中的表达及其与哮喘气道炎症的关系.方法:采用卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏方法建立支气管哮喘小鼠模型;BALB/c小鼠30只随机分为对照组、哮喘组、地塞米松治疗组各10只.采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)方法检测小鼠肺泡灌洗液(BALF)、血清中白细胞介素17(IL-17)水平;HE染色评价各组小鼠气道炎症情况;逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法检测肺组织IL-17、RORγt mRNA表达水平;免疫印记(Western blot)方法检测肺组织RORγt蛋白表达水平.结果:哮喘组小鼠肺组织RORγt mRNA、蛋白水平及IL-17水平均明显高于对照组和地塞米松治疗组(P＜0.05),RORγt蛋白表达量与嗜酸性粒细胞数、淋巴细胞数、中性粒细胞数、BALF、外周血中IL-17含量、肺组织IL-17 mRNA表达量均呈正相关关系(r＝0.789、0.795、0.902、0.669、0.806、0.883,P值均＜0.01).结论:RORγt在支气管哮喘小鼠肺组织呈高表达,其表达水平与气道炎症密切相关,参与了哮喘气道炎症的发生过程.     

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.     

IL-25 Promotes Th2 Immunity Responses in Airway Inflammation of Asthmatic Mice via Activation of Dendritic Cells

Allergic asthma occurs as a consequence of inappropriate immunologic inflammation to allergens and characterized by Th2 adaptive immune response. Recent studies indicated that interleukin (IL)-25, a member of the IL-17 cytokine family, had been implicated in inducing Th2 cell-dependent inflammation in airway epithelium and IL-25-deficient mice exhibit impaired Th2 immunity responses; however, how these cytokines influence innate immune responses remains poorly understood. In this study, we used ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge to induce the murine asthmatic model and confirmed by histological analysis of lung tissues and serum levels of total and OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)-E. The expression of IL-25 was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively, and the dendritic cells (DCs) activation was detected by levels of CD80 and CD86 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by flow cytometry. The mice sensitized and challenged with OVA showed high expression of IL-25 in both mRNA and protein levels in lungs. We detected the expression of CD80 and CD86 in BALF was also increased. A tight correlation between IL-25 mRNA and other Th2 cells producing cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in BALF was identified. Furthermore, when the asthmatic mice were treated with inhaled corticosteroids, the inflammatory cells infiltration and the inflammatory cytokines secretion were significantly decreased. In this study, we show that IL-25 promoted the accumulation of co-stimulatory molecules of CD80 and CD86 on DCs and then induced the differentiation of prime naive CD4⁺ T cells to become proinflammatory Th2 cells and promoted Th2 cytokine responses in OVA-induced airway inflammation. The ability of IL-25 to promote the activation and differentiation of DCs population was identified as a link between the IL-17 cytokine family and the innate immune response and suggested a previously unrecognized innate immune pathway that promotes Th2 cytokine responses in asthmatic airway inflammation. Inhaled corticosteroids might be capable of inhibiting the promotion of IL-25 and present a promising strategy for the treatment of asthma     

A soluble thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) antagonist, TSLPR-immunoglobulin, reduces the severity of allergic disease by regulating pulmonary dendritic cells

Recent studies show that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays a critical role in the upstream phase of the allergic cascade to induce T helper type 2 cell (Th2)-dominant allergic diseases. However, the effect of blocking TSLP signalling with the soluble TSLP receptor (TSLPR), TSLPR-immunoglobulin (Ig), on asthma development needs further investigation. Here, we examined the effects of TSLPR-Ig on asthmatic airway inflammation and dendritic cell (DC) function. TSLPR-Ig (comprising the extracellular domain of murine TSLPR and an IgG2a Fc tail) purified from transfected COS-7 cells reduced the expression of CD40, CD80 and CD86 on TSLP-activated DCs in vitro. We also investigated the mechanisms underlying TSLPR-Ig-mediated amelioration of allergic airway inflammation in a murine asthma model. When TSLP signalling was blocked by intratracheal administration of TSLPR-Ig prior to sensitization, allergen-specific serum IgE levels, airway tissue inflammation, inflammatory cell infiltration and Th2 cytokine levels in the bronchiolar lavage fluid (BALF) were reduced significantly. This was because of the TSLP-Ig-mediated down-regulation of co-stimulatory molecule expression on pulmonary DCs. We also transferred bone marrow-derived mature DCs (mDCs) into the airways of asthmatic mice. Intratracheal administration of TSLPR-Ig prior to the transfer of mDCs reduced eosinophilic airway inflammation and Th2 differentiation significantly. Collectively, these data suggest that local use of TSLPR-Ig prevents airway inflammation, at least in part, by regulating DC function, and that blocking TSLP signalling using TSLPR-Ig may be a novel strategy for the treatment of asthma bronchiale.     

Potential therapy of Fc-antigen combination-encoding DNA vaccination in mouse allergic airway inflammation

Vaccination with allergen-encoding DNA has been proposed as having potential for allergen-specific immunotherapy. In this study, we examine the therapeutic effect of allergen-encoding DNA vaccination directly to dendritic cells (DCs) on allergen-induced allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model and explore potential mechanism. Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and challenged mice were immunized with DNA vaccine and received bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) 1 day after the last challenge, to measure BAL levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, interferon (IFN)-gamma and differential cell count. Pulmonary DCs and Spleen DCs were purified and sorted according to the expression of CD(11c) (+)CD(80) (+) and CD(11c) (+)CD(86) (+) co-stimulatory molecules. Our data demonstrated that DNA vaccine therapy with OVA-Fc-pcDNA(3.1) significantly prevented OVA-increased levels of IL-4, IL-5 and the percentage of eosinophils and OVA-decreased level of IFN-gamma. OVA-Fc-pcDNA(3.1)-treated mice had less severity of airway inflammation, and lower expression of CD(11c) (+)CD(80) (+) and CD(11c) (+)CD(86) (+) on pulmonary DCs, as compared with animals with OVA-pcDNA(3.1,) pcDNA(3.1) and OVA respectively. DNA vaccine encoding both Fc and OVA was shown to be more effective than DNA vaccine encoding OVA alone. Our data indicate that Fc-antigen combination-encoding DNA vaccination has better preventive effects on antigen-induced airway inflammation by regulating DCs, and may be a new alternative therapy for asthma.     

IL-12~+重组卡介苗降低哮喘小鼠气道炎症的作用及其机制研究

目的探讨IL-12+重组卡介苗(recombinant balillus calmette-guerin secreting IL-12,rBCG)新生期接种对实验性哮喘小鼠气道炎症和气道高反应(airway hyperresponsiveness,AHR)的作用及其可能机制。方法新生Balb/c小鼠分4组:对照组(control组),卵白蛋白(OVA)组,rBCG干预(rBCG/OVA)组,rBCG/OVA/IFN-gamma中和抗体(rBCG/OVA/anti-IFN-gamma Ab)组。除对照组外,其余3组均给予OVA致敏和激发。最后一次激发后测24 h内AHR,观察支气管肺泡灌洗液(bronchoalveolarlavage fluid,BALF)中细胞总数及分类,评估肺部炎症变化程度,采用酶联免疫吸附双抗体夹心法(ELISA)检测BALF中IFN-gamma、IL-10水平。结果 1)OVA组BALF中细胞总数、嗜酸性粒细胞、中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞绝对计数和炎症病理评分均明显高于对照组,rBCG/OVA组上述内容均显著低于OVA组。2)新生期rBCG接种能显著降低哮喘小鼠模型的气道高反应性。3)rBCG/OVA组支气管肺泡灌洗液中IFN-gamma、IL-10水平明显高于OVA组。4)rBCG/OVA组与接种rBCG同时并使用anti-IFN-gamma Ab的哮喘小鼠相比气道炎症和AHR无显著差异。结论新生期rBCG接种能抑制哮喘小鼠气道炎症和AHR,促进IFN-gamma和IL-10的产生,其抗哮喘效应可能与其促进IL-10分泌有关。     

雾化吸入灭活草分支杆菌减轻哮喘小鼠气道炎症及对Toll样受体2表达的影响

目的研究雾化吸入灭活草分支杆菌对支气管哮喘小鼠气道炎症及肺组织细胞因子分泌的影响,探讨Toll样受体2(TLR2)表达在雾化吸入灭活草分支杆菌防治支气管哮喘中的作用。方法将24只雄性Balb/c小鼠按随机数字表法分为3组,每组8只:正常对照组(A)、哮喘模型组(B)、干预组(C)。卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏制小鼠支气管哮喘模型。C组在每次卵蛋白激发前给予雾化吸入草分枝杆菌治疗,每天1次。各组动物处死后提取肺组织和支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)。进行病理HE染色、AB-PAS染色观察支气管肺炎症和气道粘液分泌情况,并行半定量分析。BALF中炎症细胞计数,检测BALF中IL-4、IL-10、IFN-γ水平。实时定量PCR检测肺组织TLR2 mRNA表达水平。结果干预组BALF中IL-4分泌减少,IL-10、IFN-γ增加(P<0.05),BALF中嗜酸性粒细胞比例低于模型组,气道炎症病变较模型组减轻,肺组织TLR2 mRNA表达水平较模型组显著升高(P<0.05)。结论吸入草分枝杆菌能减轻支气管哮喘小鼠气道炎症,其效应与调节肺内细胞因子分泌有关。草分枝杆菌可能通过上调TLR2基因的表达调节支气管哮喘的免疫失衡。     

CD80, but not CD86 were up-regulated on the spleen-derived dendritic cells from OVA-sensitized and challenged BALB/c mice

Allergen-specific CD4+ T-helper (Th) 2 cells are involved in the induction and effector phase of allergic asthma. It is well established that T cells activation requires interaction of T cell receptor (TCR) and MHC-peptide complex, as well as costimulatory signal delivered by antigen presenting cells (APCs). There is increasing evidence that CD80 (B7.1) and CD86 (B7.2), as the most important costimulatory molecules, are involved in the allergic immune responses. In the present study, we investigated the CD80 and CD86 expression of spleen-derived dendritic cells (DCs) in a murine model of allergic asthma. We first established a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)-allergic asthma that showed unique histological characteristic of allergic inflammation in the lung, high serum OVA-specific IgE level, high numbers of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and high production of Type 2 cytokines in the splenic T cells. In this model, we found that CD80 were significantly upregulated on the spleen-derived DCs from OVA-sensitized and challenged mice compared with that from PBS-treated or non-treated mice, while CD86 is not different among three groups. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Th2 immune responses were elicited by these DCs with high expression of CD80, even to nai;ve T cells from non-treated mice. Our results suggest that DCs in the spleen of allergic mice, via upregulation of CD80 might play a pivotal role in the maintenance and amplification of allergic immune response, namely Th2 immune response.     

转录因子GATA-3 mRNA在哮喘模型小鼠体内的表达

目的:探讨转录因子GATA-3 mRNA在哮喘模型小鼠体内的表达。 方法:建立卵白蛋白（OVA）致小鼠哮喘模型，计数支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中炎症细胞总数和分类，评价肺组织炎症细胞浸润；ELISA检测BALF和脾细胞培养上清液中IL-4和IFN-γ浓度；RT-PCR检测脾细胞和肺组织GATA-3 mRNA表达水平。 结果:哮喘组BALF中炎症细胞总数及嗜酸粒细胞百分比明显高于对照组，支气管出现明显炎症细胞浸润、黏液分泌和支气管收缩，BALF和脾细胞培养上清液中IL-4明显高于对照组，肺组织和脾细胞GATA-3 mRNA表达水平均明显高于对照组。 结论:哮喘模型小鼠肺组织和脾细胞GATA-3 mRNA表达增加，可能在促进Th2细胞因子合成和介导气道炎症细胞浸润中具有重要作用。     

Diospyros blancoi Attenuates Asthmatic Effects in a Mouse Model of Airway Inflammation

Asthma is a complex disease linked to various pathophysiological events, including proteinase activity. In this study, we examined whether a Diospyros blancoi methanolic extract (DBE) exerts protective effects on allergic asthma in a murine asthma model. To investigate the specific role of DBE, we employed a murine model of allergic airway inflammation. BALB/c mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) were orally administered 20 or 40 mg/kg DBE for 3 days during OVA challenge. DBE induced significant suppression of the number of OVA-induced total inflammatory cells, including eosinophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Moreover, treatment with DBE led to significant decreases in interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and eotaxin levels in BALF and OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG1 levels in serum. Histological examination of lung tissue revealed marked attenuation of allergen-induced lung eosinophilic inflammation and mucus-producing goblet cells in the airway. Additionally, DBE suppressed matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and induced heme oxygenase-1 expression. The present findings collectively suggest that DBE exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in an airway inflammation mouse model, supporting its therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic bronchial asthma.