Correlative changes of interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 between cortical layer and pulmonary airway of sensitized rats.
Abstract
AIM: To explore correlation of T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokine between the
cortical layer and pulmonary airway in ovalbumin-induced rat asthma model.
METHODS: Aerosol antigen-induced changes of inflammation in bronchoalveolar
lavage fluids (BALF) and pulmonary histologic section in sensitized rats were
investigated. Changes of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in
BALF and cortical layer homogenates were determined by ELISA.
RESULTS: The number of inflammatory cells in BALF in antigen challenged group was
significantly higher than control group (P <0.05). Dexamethasone (DXM, 0.5 mg/kg,
ip) markedly reduce total leukocyte numbers in BALF, and almost completely
inhibited eosinophil, lymphocyte accumulation. The score of histological
examination (eosinophil infiltration, mucous edema and epithelial lesion) in
antigen challenged group was significantly higher than control group (P <0.05).
DXM (0.5 mg/kg, ip) reduced the numbers of eosinophils and improved mucous edema
and epithelial lesion of bronchi and bronchioles. In addition, our results
demonstrated decreased IFN-gamma level accompanied by increased IL-4 level that
resulted in a decreased IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in the BALF after the sensitized
rats were challenged with aerosol antigen. Meanwhile, there was a similar change
of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in cortical layer homogenates. DXM (0.5 mg/kg, ip) could
reverse IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in the BALF and cortical layer homogenates in the
model.
CONCLUSION: The results showed a significant interplay changes of Th1 and Th2
cytokine between central nervous system and pulmonary airway in the asthmatic
inflammatory model.
Keywords:
cortical layer and pulmonary airway in ovalbumin-induced rat asthma model.
METHODS: Aerosol antigen-induced changes of inflammation in bronchoalveolar
lavage fluids (BALF) and pulmonary histologic section in sensitized rats were
investigated. Changes of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in
BALF and cortical layer homogenates were determined by ELISA.
RESULTS: The number of inflammatory cells in BALF in antigen challenged group was
significantly higher than control group (P <0.05). Dexamethasone (DXM, 0.5 mg/kg,
ip) markedly reduce total leukocyte numbers in BALF, and almost completely
inhibited eosinophil, lymphocyte accumulation. The score of histological
examination (eosinophil infiltration, mucous edema and epithelial lesion) in
antigen challenged group was significantly higher than control group (P <0.05).
DXM (0.5 mg/kg, ip) reduced the numbers of eosinophils and improved mucous edema
and epithelial lesion of bronchi and bronchioles. In addition, our results
demonstrated decreased IFN-gamma level accompanied by increased IL-4 level that
resulted in a decreased IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in the BALF after the sensitized
rats were challenged with aerosol antigen. Meanwhile, there was a similar change
of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in cortical layer homogenates. DXM (0.5 mg/kg, ip) could
reverse IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in the BALF and cortical layer homogenates in the
model.
CONCLUSION: The results showed a significant interplay changes of Th1 and Th2
cytokine between central nervous system and pulmonary airway in the asthmatic
inflammatory model.