Effect of Nuclear Factor-κB on Airway Remodeling in Asthmatic Rats

Effect of nuclear factor-κB on airway remodeling in asthmatic rats

Summary In order to investigate the effect of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) on airway remodeling in asthmatic rats. 18 Wistar rats were divided into three groups: asthmatic group: pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) group, in which rats were injected intraperitoneally with NF-κB specific inhibitor PDTC (100 mg/kg) before ovalbumin (OVA) challenge; control group. The NF-κB activity and the expression of inhibitory protein κBα (I-κBα) in airway were detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Western blot and immunohistochemistry respectively. The infiltration of inflammatory cells, the number of Goblet cells, the area of collagen and smooth muscle in airway were measured by means of image analysis system. The results showed that with the up-regulation of airway NF-κB activity in asthmatic group, the number of goblet cells (3.08±0.86/100 μm basement membrane (BM)), the area of collagen (24.71±4.24 μm²/μm BM) and smooth muscle (13.81±2.11 μm²/μmBM) in airway were significantly increased (P<0.05) as compared with control group (0.14±0.05/100μmBM. 14.31±3.16 μm²/μm BM and 7.67±2.35 μm²/μm BM respectively) and PDTC group (0.33±0.14/100 μmBM, 18.16±2.85 μm²/μm BM and 8.95±2.16 μm²/μm BM respectively). However, there was no significant difference between PDTC group and control group (P>0.05). It was concluded that the activity of NF-κB is increased in airway of asthmatic rats. Inhibition of NF-κB, activation can attenuate constructional changes in asthma airway, suggesting NF-κB may contribute to asthmatic airway remodeling. XU Shuyun, female, born in 1970, M. D. Ph. D. This project was supported by a grant from Foundation for University Key Teacher by the Ministry of Education (2000 year).