The upregulated expression of OX40/OX40L and their promotion of T cells proliferation in the murine model of asthma

Objective

To investigate whether the expression of OX40/OX40 ligand (OX40L) was upregulated in a murine model of asthma and their significance in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Methods

After an ovalbumin-sensitized/challenged murine model of asthma was established, the expressions of OX40, OX40L in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell pellets were measured. Then T cell proliferation was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), and the protein levels of OX40 and OX40L in the lungs were determined by immunohistochemistry. The concentrations of IL-4 and IFN-γ in BALF and T cell culture supernatant were evaluated by ELISA.

Results

The percentages of CD4⁺OX40⁺, CD19⁺OX40L⁺, F4/80⁺OX40L⁺ in PBMCs and BALF cell pellets were higher in asthma group than in control group (all P<0.01). The proliferation capacity of T cells in asthma group was higher than that in control group (P<0.05). In asthma group, stimulation of OX40 by anti-OX40 mAb obviously promoted T cell proliferation and secretion of IL-4 and IFN-γ. Immunohistochemistry assay showed that OX40 and OX40L protein levels were higher in asthma group than those in control group (all P<0.05).

Conclusions

The expressions of OX40 and OX40L were upregulated in the murine asthmatic model. The upregulation of OX40/OX40L signals could induce the proliferation and cytokines secretion of T cells in asthmatic mice, indicating that OX40/OX40L signal was involved in the pathogenesis of asthma.