Immunoregulatory effects of pertussis protein on allergic asthma in mouse / 浙江大学学报·医学版

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the immunoregulatory effects of pertussis protein on airway inflammatory, IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids(BALF) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the sensitized mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The sensitized mice were reexposed to ovalbumin and the airway response to methacholine injection was monitored. Inflammatory cells and cytokines IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in BALF were measured. Lung tissue specimens were collected for histological examination.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Intramuscular injection or intranasal instillation of pertussis protein inhibited changes in lung resistance and lung dynamic compliance, upregulated IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio and decreased eosinophil accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Pathological examination showed that goblet cell hyperplasia and inflammatory cells infiltration in lung tissue were suppressed by pertussis protein.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pertussis protein inhibits the inflammation and regulates the function of lungs in asthma mice, suggesting its potential application in treatment of asthma.</p>