Effects of Interleukin-18 on Allergic Response of Mouse Model / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The imbalance between a Th1 response and a Th2 response may be one feature of allergic diseases' pathophysiology. IL-18, originally called the IFN-gamma inducing factor, stimulates both Th1 and Th2 responses depending on cytokine milieu. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effect of intranasal and intraperitoneal administration of IL-18 in mice with experimentally induced airway allergy. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Female BALB/c mice were systemically sensitized with ovalbumin mixed with aluminum hydroxide and were challenged with the intranasal instillation of ovalbumin. IL-18 was instilled to nasal cavities or injected into peritoneum according to the experimental group. After provocation test, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected and IL-4, IL-5, IL-18 and IFN-gamma were measured. The degree of eosinophilic infiltration were evaluated at the peribronchial region of the lung specimen. RESULTS: The concentration of IL-4 and IL-5 within BALF and peribronchial infiltration of eosinophils were significantly suppressed in the groups treated with IL-18 than in the control group. The intranasal instillation of IL-18 suppressed Th2 cytokines more effectively than the intraperitoneal injection. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that allergic inflammation can be suppressed with the intranasal instillation of IL-18.