ABSTRACT
AIM:To investigate the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in the expression of IL-4 and IL-5 in the splenic lymphocytes of asthmatic rats. METHODS:Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups:control group (n = 8) and asthma group (n = 8). The asthmatic model was set up by intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg ovalbumin and 100 mg aluminum hydroxide,and receiving nebulization aspiration of 1% ovalbumin solution 2 weeks later. The splenic lymphocytes from the control rats and asthmatic rats were isolated and cultured with exogenous NGF or LIF at different doses. The mRNA expression of IL-4 and IL-5 in the splenic lymphocytes was respectively detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The secretions of IL-4 and IL-5 were respectively detected by ELISA. RESULTS:Compared to control group,the expression of IL-4 and IL -5 (P