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Objective To assess the correlation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels with vitamin D-binding protein (the group-specific component,GC) gene polymorphism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods In a cross-sectional case-control study,250participants,including 116 COPD patients with smoking history and 134 healthy smokers,were investigated.A questionnaire about smoking history,vitamin D intake and comorbidities was collected.General pulmonary function was done by routine.Serum 25-OHD levels were detected by ELISA.The genetic variants (rs4588and rs7041) were genotyped by real time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with TaqMan probe technology.Results The COPD patients had lower serum vitamin D level than the smoker subjects (36.58 nmol/L vs 43.80 nmol/L,P ＜0.001).In the COPD patients,vitamin D level was 39.43 nmol/L in those with percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 ％ pred) greater than or equal to 80％.In other groups with FEV1 ％ pred 50％-80％,30％-50％ and lower than 30％,vitamin D levels were 35.32 nmol/L,32.21 nmol/L,26.25 nmol/L respectively (P ＜ 0.01).Moreover,there was a significant relevance of 25-OHD levels with FEV1 ％ pred in both COPD patients and healthy smokers (r2 =1.911; P ＜0.000 1).The mean 25-OHD concentration had a negative correlation with Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages.Homozygous carriers of vitamin D-binding protein gene rs7041 T allele were independently related to 25-OHD levels and susceptibility of COPD (P ＜ 0.01 ; OR =2.140,95％ CI 1.157-3.959,P =0.015 respectively).Conclusions Patients with COPD are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency and the severity of COPD is inversely correlated with vitamin D levels.Furthermore,homozygous carrier of rs7041 T allele influences 25-OHD serum levels and is related to susceptibility of COPD,which may be a potential candidate gene for screening COPD.
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This study compared the efficacy and safety of tiotropium bromide inhalation powder (spiriva) and doxofylline oral tablet (doxofylline) in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A multi-center, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-controlled study involved 127 eligible stable moderate to severe COPD patients treated with inhaled tiotropium dry powder (18 μg/day) or oral doxofylline tablets (0.2 g/time, 2 times a day) for 12 and 24 weeks. Before and after treatment for 12 weeks and 24 weeks, respectively, pulmonary function, 6-min walking distance and dyspnea index were recorded. The results showed that in both tiotropium group and doxofylline groups, after 12-week treatment, FEV(1), FEV(1)/FVC% and 6-min walk distance were significantly higher than those before the medication, while dyspnea index decreased as compared with that before treatment. After 24-week treatment, a slight improvement in the measures was observed as compared with that of 12-weeks treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant. With both 12-week and 24-week treatment, the effect of tiotropium was slightly better than that of doxofylline tablets, with the difference being statistically insignificant. The major adverse events in the tiotropium group and doxofylline group were observed in 9 cases (9.9%) and 12 cases (12.9%), respectively, and no statistically significant difference was found between them. We are led to conclude that both tiotropium at 18 μg a day and doxofylline tablets at 0.2 g/day (two times a day) are effective and safe for the treatment of COPD.
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Objective To investigate the expression of CD40 and CD40L on the surface of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)in asthmatic rats and the effect of anti-CD40L McAb on cytokines of it.Methods Flow cytometry and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of CD40 and CD40L of PBMCs ih asthmatic rats.After the PBMCs Was treated with anti.CIMOL McAb.ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-4 and IFN-γin the supematants of cultured cells.Results Compared with the normal control group.the expression of CD40 and CD40L of PBMCs in asthImatic rats increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the untreated group,the level of IL-4 and the ratio of IL4/IFN-γ decreased after the PBMCs were treated with anti-CD40L McAb(P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of CD40 and CD40L on the surface of PBMCs in asthmatic rats Was unregulated.Anti-CD40L Mcab Can decrease the level of IL-4 and the ratio of IL_4/IFN-γ.
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Objective To construct the eukaryotic expression vector harboring the fragment of Alia gene, and to investigate the effects of it on the signal of quorum sensing and virulence factors producted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa(Pa). Methods The plasmid pET-AiiA was cutted by Nhe Ⅰ and Xho Ⅰ , then the AiiA fragment was cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-N2. After the plasmid was transfected into A549 cells, the protein was extracted and AiiA protein was found in it by Western blot. After the extrac- tion was admixed into the LB broth, from culture supernatant extracts of Pa, the N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) was detected by bioassay, and the expression of pyocyanin and elastase were assayed by RT-PCR and optical density. Results The fragment of AiiA gene was cutted and then cloned into pEGFP-N2. AiiA protein was found in the transfected cells. After admixed with the extract harboring AiiA protein, in Pa medium, the AHL was hydrolyzed, and the expression of pyocyanin and elastase were reduced. Conclusion The virulence factors synthesized by Pa were reduced by the AiiA protein expressed in eukaryotic cell.
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To explore the relationship between the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), the concentrations of serum VEGF in 40 OSAHS patients and 9 healthy controls were measured by using ELISA method. Meanwhile the correlation between the concentration of VEGF and parameters of polysomnography (PSG) was examined. Our results showed that the concentrations of VEGF were significantly higher in OSAHS patients with severe hypoxia (536.8+/-334.7 pg/mL) than in those with mild hypoxia (329.2+/-174.7 pg/mL) and healthy controls (272. 8+/-211.0 pg/mL) (P<0.05 for both). The concentrations of VEGF were also significantly higher in OSAHS patients with hypertension (484.5+/-261.4 pg/mL) than in those without hypertension (311.0+/-158.4 pg/mL) and healthy controls (272. 8+/-211.0 pg/mL) (P<0.05 for both). There was a positive correlation between the concentration of VEGF and the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) (r=0.34, P<0.05). It is concluded that the concentration of the serum VEGF is positively related to the severity of OSAHS. The elevated serum VEGF level may be involved in the pathogenesis of the complications of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.
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In order to explore the expression of PI-3K in T lymphocytes of asthmatic rats and the relationship between PI-3K and activation of T lymphocytes, 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group, asthmatic one-week group, asthmatic two-week group and asthmatic four-week group. T cells were purified from blood of each rat and the expression of PI-3K was observed by immunocytochemical fluorescence staining, the semiquantitative fluorescence intensity was measured by HPIAS-2000 analytic software, and the expression of IL-4 in supernatants was detected by ELISA. The results showed that the fluorescence intensity of T lymphocytes in asthmatic groups was significantly higher than that in normal control (P<0.001), indicating that the expression of PI-3K in T lymphocytes of asthmatic rats was significantly higher than that in those of normal controls, and the difference between acute and chronic stage asthmatic groups was significant (P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-4 protein in supernatants of asthmatic T lymphocytes were significantly higher than those in the normal controls (P<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the expression of PI-3K in T lymphocytes and the IL-4 protein expression in supernatants (r=0.583, P<0.01). It was suggested that PI-3K signal pathway may participate in the processes of activation and other cytological effects of asthmatic T lymphocytes, thus may play an important roles in the pathogenesis of asthma.
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The changes of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg) and Foxp3 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with asthma were investigated in order to elucidate the possible roles of CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg in the development of asthma. The peripheral blood samples were collected from 29 healthy controls (normal control group) and 78 patients with asthma which included 30 patients in exacerbation group, 25 patients in persistent group, and 23 patients in remission group. By using flow cytometry and RT-PCR, the CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA in PBMCs were detected. The CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA in PBMCs of exacerbation and persistent groups were lower than that of remission and normal control group (P0.05). As compared with persistent group, exacerbation group had lower CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA (P<0.05). It was indicated that the decrease of CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg ratio and its function in PBMCs may be responsible for pathogenesis of asthma.
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The changes of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+ Treg) and Foxp3 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with asthma were investigated in order to elucidate the possible roles of CD4+CD25+ Treg in the development of asthma. The peripheral blood samples were collected from 29 healthy controls (normal control group) and 78 patients with asthma which included 30 patients in exacerbation group, 25 patients in persistent group, and 23 patients in remission group. By using flow cytometry and RT-PCR, the CD4+CD25+ Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA in PBMCs were detected. The CD4+CD25+ Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA in PBMCs of exacerbation and persistent groups were lower than that of remission and normal control groups (P＜0.05). Although the CD4+CD25+ Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA of remission group were also lower than that of normal control group, there was no significant difference between them (P＞0.05). As compared with persistent group, exacerbation group had lower CD4+CD25+ Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA (P＜0.05). It was indicated that the decrease of CD4+CD25+Treg ratio and its function in PBMCs may be responsible for pathogenesis of asthma.
ABSTRACT
In order to explore the expression of PI-3K in T lymphocytes of asthmatic rats and the relationship between PI-3K and activation of T lymphocytes, 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group, asthmatic one-week group, asthmatic two-week group and asthmatic four-week group. T cells were purified from blood of each rat and the expression of PI-3K was observed by immunocytochemical fluorescence staining, the semiquantitative fluorescence intensity was measured by HPIAS-2000 analytic software, and the expression of IL-4 in supernatants was detected by ELISA. The results showed that the fluorescence intensity of T lymphocytes in asthmatic groups was significantly higher than that in normal control (P＜0.001), indicating that the expression of PI-3K in T lymphocytes of asthmatic rats was significantly higher than that in those of normal controls, and the difference between acute and chronic stage asthmatic groups was significant (P＜0.05). The expression levels of IL-4 protein in supernatants of asthmatic T lymphocytes were significantly higher than those in the normal controls (P＜0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the expression of PI-3K in T lymphocytes and the IL-4 protein expression in supernatants (r=0.583, P＜0.01). It was suggested that PI-3K signal pathway may participate in the processes of activation and other cytological effects of asthmatic T lymphocytes, thus may play an important roles in the pathogenesis of asthma.
ABSTRACT
To explore the relationship between the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)level and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), the concentrations of serum VEGF in 40 OSAHS patients and 9 healthy controls were measured by using ELISA method.Meanwhile the correlation between the concentration of VEGF and parameters of polysomnography (PSG) was examined. Our results showed that the concentrations of VEGF were significantly higher in OSAHS patients with severe hypoxia (536.8±334.7 pg/mL) than in those with mild hypoxia (329.2±174.7 pg/mL) and healthy controls (272. 8±211.0 pg/mL) (P＜0.05 for both). The concentrations of VEGF were also significantly higher in OSAHS patients with hypertension (484.5±261.4 pg/mL) than in those without hypertension (311.0±158.4 pg/mL) and healthy controls (272. 8±211.0 pg/mL) (P＜0.05 for both). There was a positive correlation between the concentration of VEGF and the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) (γ=0.34, P＜0.05). It is concluded that the concentration of the serum VEGF is positively related to the severity of OSAHS. The elevated serum VEGF level may be involved in the pathogenesis of the complications of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.
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In order to investigate the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in airway epithelial tissues of normal and asthmatic rats, the influence of dexamethasone and the role of LIF in pathogenesis of asthma, 30 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (10 for each group): normal group, asthma model group, and dexamethasone-interfered group. In asthmamodel group and dexamethasone-interfered group, asthma rat models were established by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 10% ovalbumin (OVA) and challenge with 1% OVA via inhalation. Rats in dexamethasone-interfered group were pretreated with dexamethasone (2 mg/kg, i.p) 30 min before each challenge. The expression of LIF protein in lung was detected by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that LIF protein was mainly expressed in cytoplasm of bronchial epithelial cells. The expression of LIF protein in the airway epithelial tissue of asthma model group was significantly higher than that in normal group and dexamethasone-interfered group (P＜0.01), but there was no significant difference between normal group and dexamethasone-interfered group (P＞0.05). It was concluded that the expression of LIF was increased significantly in the airway epithelial tissue of the asthma rats, and dexamethasone could down-regulate the expression of LIF. It was suggested that LIF might play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma as an inflammation regulator.
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In order to investigate the clinical value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) combined with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in diagnosing malignant pleural effusion and tuberculous plearal effusion, 42 cases of malignant pleurai effusion and 45 cases of tuberculous plcural effusion in Tongji Hospital, from March 2004 to May 2005, were included. The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), VEGF and IFN-γ levels of pleural effusion were detected by using ELISA, and adenosine deaminasc (ADA) activity was determined by using enzyme kinetic analytical method. The sensitivity, specific-ity, accuracy and area under the curve (AUCROC) of CEA and VEGF, VEGF/IFN-γ ratio, ADA and IFN-γ were measured by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). The results showed that CEA, VEGF levels and VEGF/IFN-γ ratio were significantly higher and the ADA and IFN-γ levels were significantly lower in malignant group than those in tuberculous group (P<0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUCROC of VEGF/IFN-γ ratio (88.7%, 99.8%, 94.4%, 0.96 respectively) were higher than those of CEA (67.8%, 96.1%, 82.4%, 0.78 respectively) and VEGF (81.5%, 84.3%,82.9%, 0.79 respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUCROC of IFN-γ (85.7%, 96.4%,90.9%, 0.94 respectively) were higher than those of ADA (80.2%, 87.6%, 83.8%, 0.81 respectively).It was concluded that VEGF/IFN-γ ratio and IFN-γ could be used as valuable parameters for the dif-ferential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and tuberculous pleural effusion.
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The expression of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in lung and peripheral blood of asthmatic rats and the influence of dexamethasone, and the role of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of asthma were inves-tigated. Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) adult rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=10 in each group): normal group, asthmatic group, and dexamethasone-interfered group. Rat asthmatic model was established by intraperitoneal (I.p.) injection of 10% ovalbumin (OVA) and challenge with 1% OVA via inhalation. Rats in dexamethasone-interfered group were pretreated with dexa-methasone (2 mg/kg, I.p.) 30 rain before each challenge. The expression of IL-17 protein in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected by ELISA. The expression of IL-17 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and BALF cells was semi-quantitatively detected by RT-PCR. The expression of IL-17 protein in serum and BALF of asthmatic rats was significantly elevated as compared with normal rats and dexamethsone-interfered rats (P<0.01), and there was sig- nificant difference between normal rats and dexamethsone-interfered rats (P<0.05). The expression of IL-17 mRNA in PBMC and BALF cells of asthmatic rats was markedly increased as compared with normal rats and dexamethsone-interfered rats (P<0.01), and significant difference was found between normal rats and dexamethsone-interfered rats (P<0.05). It was concluded that the expression of IL-17 was increased significantly in asthmatic rats and could be inhibited partly by dexamethasone, sug-gesting that IL-17 might play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma as an inflammation regulation factor.
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To establish a better method of primary culture for alveolar epithelial type Ⅱ cells (AEC Ⅱ) and to study its bionomics, alveolar epithelial type Ⅱ cells were isolated by digestion with tryp- sin and collagenase, which were then purified by plated into culture flask coated with rat immu- noglobulin G. The purified AEC Ⅱ were identified by alkaline phosphatase staining, electron mi-croscopy, immunocytochemical staining of pulmonary surfactant protein A (SPA). The SPA expres-sion and transfection characteristics were compared with those of A549 cell line. The results showed that AEC Ⅱ could be isolated by digestion with trysin and collagenase and purified by adhesive pu- rification by using IgG, with a yield of about 2-3×107, and a purity of about 75%-84 %. Cells could be quickly identified with AKP staining. AEC Ⅱ were different from A549 cell line in terms of SPA expression and transfection characteristics. It is concluded that adhesive purification with IgG can improve the purity of AEC Ⅱ, and AKP staining is simple in cell identification. AEC Ⅱ can not be completely replaced by A549 cells in some studies because the differences between them, such as SPA expression.
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Objective To investigate changes of CD~+_4CD~+_ 25 regulatory T cells (CD~+_4CD~+_ 25 Treg) and forkhead/winged helix transcription factor(Foxp3) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with asthma, so as to elucidate the possible roles of CD~+_4CD~+_ 25 Treg in the development of asthma. Methods The peripheral blood samples were collected from 29 healthy controls (normal control group) and 78 patients with asthma which included 30 patients in exacerbation group, 25 patients in persistent group, and 23 patients in remission group. By using flow cytometry and RT-PCR, the CD~+_4CD~+_ 25 Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA in PBMCs were detected. Results The CD~+_4CD~+_ 25 Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA in PBMCs of exacerbation and persistent group were lower than that of remission group and normal control group (P0.05). Compared with persistent group, exacerbation group had lower CD~+_4CD~+_ 25 Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA (P
ABSTRACT
The transcription activity of ectogenic human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) promoter in lung adenocarcinoma cells A549 was investigated for the further gene-targeting therapy. The reporter gene green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by CEA promoter and human cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter were relatively constructed and named plasmid pCEA-EGFP and pCMV-GFP respectively. The intensity of fluorescence was detected by fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry analysis after the pCEA-GFP and pSNAV-GFP plasmids were transfected into A549 cells through liposome respectively. The results showed (4.08+/-0.63) % of the A549 cells transfected with pCEA-AFP plasmid expressed, significantly lower than that of the A549 cells transfected with pCMV-GFP [(43.27+/-3.54) %]. It was suggested that ectogenic human CEA promoter in lung adenocarcinoma cells A549 was weakly expressed. The distinct specificity of CEA promoter in CEA high expression cells was regarded as a tool in selective gene therapy, but the transcription activity of ectogenic human CEA promoter was needed to increase in the future.
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To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of intravenous moxifloxacin with those of a commonly used empirical antibiotic regimen, cefoperazone and azithromycin in the treatment of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adult patients requiring initial parenteral therapy, 40 patients with CAP were divided into two groups, a moxifloxacin group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20), which were treated for 7 to 14 days. The patients in the moxifloxacin group were intravenously given 400 mg of moxifloxacin (Avelox) once a day. Patients in the control group were administered 2.0 g of cefoperazone twice a day and azithromycin 0.5 g once a day. Clinical, bacteriological, and laboratory examinations were performed before the treatment, and at the end of the treatment. Our results showed that there was no significant difference in the clinical efficacy rate between two treatment groups at end of therapy (90% for moxifloxacin, 95% for cefoperazone plus azithromycin) (P > 0.05). The bacteriologic eradication rate at the end of treatment was 90% in the moxifloxacin group and 80% in the cefoperazone-plus-azithromycin group, whereas there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). In addition, both drugs were well-tolerated in this trial, with the number of drug-related adverse events being comparable. It is concluded that moxifloxacin is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for CAP and was equivalent to the commonly used empirical treatment of cefoperazone plus azithromycin. Moxifloxacin is likely to offer clinicians an alternative for reliable empirical CAP treatment in the face of increasing antibiotic resistance.
ABSTRACT
To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of intravenous moxifloxacin with those of a commonly used empirical antibiotic regimen, cefoperazone and azithromycin in the treatment of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adult patients requiring initial parenteral therapy, 40 patients with CAP were divided into two groups, a moxifloxacin group (n=20) and a control group(n=20), which were treated for 7 to 14 days. The patients in the moxifloxacin group were intravenously given 400 mg of moxifloxacin (AveloxR) once a day. Patients in the control group were administered 2.0 g of cefoperazone twice a day and azithromycin 0.5 g once a day. Clinical, bacteriological, and laboratory examinations were performed before the treatment, and at the end of the treatment. Our results showed that there was no significant difference in the clinical efficacy rate between two treatment groups at end of therapy (90 % for moxifloxacin, 95 % for cefoperazone plus azithromycin) (P＞0.05). The bacteriologic eradication rate at the end of treatment was 90 % in the moxifloxacin group and 80 % in the cefoperazone-plus-azithromycin group, whereas there was no significant difference between the two groups (P＞0.05). In addition, both drugs were well-tolerated in this trial, with the number of drug-related adverse events being comparable. It is concluded that moxifloxacin is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for CAP and was equivalent to the commonly used empirical treatment of cefoperazone plus azithromycin. Moxifloxacin is likely to offer clinicians an alternative for reliable empirical CAP treatment in the face of increasing antibiotic resistance.
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The transcription activity of ectogenic human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) promoter in lung adenocarcinoma cells A549 was investigated for the further gene-targeting therapy. The reporter gene green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by CEA promoter and human cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter were relatively constructed and named plasmid pCEA-EGFP and pCMV-GFP respectively. The intensity of fluorescence was detected by fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry analysis after the pCEA-GFP and pSNAV-GFP plasmids were transfected into A549 cells through liposome respectively. The results showed (4.08±0.63) % of the A549 cells transfected with pCEA-AFP plasmid expressed, significantly lower than that of the A549 cells transfected with pCMV-GFP [(43.27±3.54) %]. It was suggested that ectogenic human CEA promoter in lung adenocarcinoma cells A549 was weakly expressed. The distinct specificity of CEA promoter in CEA high expression cells was regarded as a tool in selective gene therapy, but the transcription activity of ectogenic human CEA promoter was needed to increase in the future.
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To explore the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its relationship with pulmonary ventilation function in asthmatic patients, 18 asthmatic patients and 18 healthy subjects were selected. HO-1 protein and mRNA levels in PBMCs were measured by immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. Blood carbon monoxide Hb (COHb), serum total IgE and pulmonary ventilatory function were observed. Our results showed that the percentage of cells positive for immunohistochemical staining of HO-1 were significantly higher in asthmatic patients (41.72 +/- 7.44) % than that in with healthy subjects (10.45 +/- 4.36) % (P < 0.001) and the optical density of PBMC HO-1 mRNA was higher in asthmatic patients (26.05 +/- 4.14) than that in healthy subjects (10. 82 +/- 4.26) (P < 0.001). The relation analysis showed that PBMC HO-1 protein and mRNA levels had significantly negative relation with FEV1%, PEFR, MEFR50%, respectively (r = -0.51-0.89, P < 0.05-0.001, respectively) and a positive relation with COHb and serum total IgE (r = 0.48-0. 85, 0.05-0.001, respectively). It is concluded that the expression of PBMC HO-1 protein and mRNA increased significantly in asthmatic patients, and HO-1 may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The expression of HO-1 may bear a relation with severity of asthma.