婴儿型双歧杆菌对哮喘小鼠气道炎症的作用研究

目的探讨婴儿型双歧杆菌对气道过敏小鼠的气道炎症作用及其机制。方法 6周龄BALB/c雄性小鼠40只,随机分为4组:阴性对照组、哮喘组、婴儿型双歧杆菌预防组和婴儿型双歧杆菌治疗组。哮喘组、预防组和治疗组用卵清蛋白(Ovalbvmin,OVA)进行致敏和激发诱发哮喘,阴性对照组用生理盐水进行致敏和激发。预防组第0至14天灌胃菌液;治疗组第15至28天灌胃菌液;阴性对照组和哮喘组全程灌胃生理盐水作对照。观察小鼠气道过敏表现;计数肺泡灌洗液(Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,BALF)中细胞总数评估气道炎症程度;肺组织行HE染色;ELISA法测定血清中IL-10、OVA特异性IgE和OVA特异性IgG1的浓度以及肺泡灌洗液中细胞因子IL-4、IL-5、IL-10、IL-13和IFN-γ的浓度。结果 (1)哮喘组小鼠在激发后出现搔抓口鼻、竖毛、打喷嚏、腹肌扇动、弓背直立、二便失禁以及体重下降等表现,预防组和治疗组的症状较轻。(2)预防组和治疗组BALF细胞数量明显低于哮喘组(P0.05)。(3)肺组织HE染色后,哮喘组小鼠肺组织出现明显的炎症细胞浸润,预防组和治疗组肺组织炎症明显减轻。(4)预防组和治疗组血清OVA特异性IgE浓度明显低于哮喘组(P0.05),并且预防组低于治疗组(P0.05);治疗组血清OVA特异性IgG1浓度明显低于哮喘组和预防组(P0.05);预防组和治疗组血清IL-10浓度明显高于哮喘组(P0.05),且治疗组高于预防组(P0.05);(5)预防组和治疗组肺泡灌洗液中IL-4、IL-13含量明显低于哮喘组(P0.05);IL-5、IL-10、IFN-γ各组浓度都较低,未测出有效浓度。结论口服婴儿型双歧杆菌可以减轻过敏症状,降低肺组织炎症浸润程度,抑制Th2免疫反应。     

双歧杆菌对中国对虾原肌球蛋白致敏小鼠的免疫调控作用

【目的】比较研究婴儿双歧杆菌(Bifidobacterium infantis 13.085)对中国对虾原肌球蛋白致敏BALB/c小鼠预防与治疗过敏反应的差异,探究其对致敏小鼠Treg/Th17细胞平衡及相关细胞因子的影响。【方法】采用硫酸铵盐析及等电点沉淀法纯化中国对虾原肌球蛋白(TM),将中国对虾TM和弗氏佐剂混合液腹腔注射诱发BALB/c小鼠致敏,建立动物过敏模型。将实验小鼠随机分为正常对照组、治疗对照组、双歧杆菌治疗组、预防对照组和双歧杆菌预防组。观察分析小鼠过敏症状(腹泻、肺组织HE染色比较、称重法测定小鼠体重和脾脏脏器系数变化),采用ELISA测定小鼠血清中特异性IgE、IgG2a和组胺的含量,采用流式细胞术测定脾脏T淋巴细胞亚群(Treg、Th17)数量,采用荧光定量PCR测定脾脏中Treg型和Th17型细胞因子和转录因子的表达量。【结果】纯化得到中国对虾原肌球蛋白纯度为84.93%,得率为60.88%。体内试验表明,双歧杆菌治疗组和预防组相比于对照组,腹泻和过敏症状均有明显的缓解;不同时期的双歧杆菌干预均对过敏小鼠肺组织症状有明显的改善作用,且可降低过敏小鼠的脾脏脏器系数。第56天实验周期结束后发现,相比预防对照组和治疗对照组,双歧杆菌预防组和治疗组小鼠血清中特异性IgE和组胺含量显著降低(P0.05),脾脏Treg/Th17比值显著升高(P0.05),Th17型细胞因子IL-17A mRNA表达水平显著降低(P0.01);双歧杆菌治疗组相对于治疗对照组,Treg型细胞因子CD25mRNA表达水平显著升高(P0.01)。此外,双歧杆菌治疗组血清特异性IgE及IL-17A mRNA转录水平显著低于双歧杆菌预防组(P0.05),而Treg/Th17比值及CD25 mRNA转录水平显著高于预防组(P0.05)。【结论】双歧杆菌13.085能有效缓解小鼠过敏症状,且治疗免疫调控效果优于预防效果,其作用可能通过平衡Treg/Th17细胞亚群数量,促进Treg型细胞因子表达而抑制Th17型细胞因子分泌,从而阻断炎性抗体及组胺释放。     

两品系小鼠食物过敏模型的比较

目的比较两种不同品系小鼠食物过敏模型的敏感性和肠道菌群变化的差异,旨在为食物过敏模型的建立提供依据。方法分别对30只4~5周龄BALB/c和KM雌鼠用卵清蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)致敏建立食物过敏模型,ELISA法检测小鼠血清OVA特异性IgE水平;HE染色观察空肠组织形态;采用DGGE技术检测粪便菌群的变化。结果 (1)30只致敏的BALB/c小鼠中有27只血清OVA特异性IgE水平明显升高(P0.001),而30只致敏的KM小鼠中有21只,且BALB/c小鼠空肠绒毛炎症细胞浸润、上皮脱落及坏死比KM小鼠明显;(2)食物过敏造模后,BALB/c小鼠肠道菌群的改变明显(P0.001),而KM小鼠中仅有均匀度改变显著(P0.05);(3)BALB/c小鼠和KM小鼠对照组肠道菌群的丰富度、Shannon指数及均匀度都有差异。结论 BALB/c小鼠对OVA的敏感性高于KM小鼠,不同品系小鼠肠道菌群结构不同,OVA处理后,BALB/c小鼠菌群的改变比KM小鼠更明显。     

不同浓度卵蛋白变应原对小鼠哮喘模型建立的影响

目的研究不同浓度卵蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)变应原对小鼠的哮喘造模影响。方法 96只6～8周龄SPF级雌性BALB/c小鼠随机分为8组,分别为PBS组(对照组)、10μg组(A组)、20μg组(B组)、50μg组(C组)、100μg组(D组)、200μg组(E组)、500μg组(F组)、1000μg组(G组)。A～G组分别用含1%明矾的PBS配制相应浓度的OVA于第0、7和第14天对小鼠进行腹腔注射。于第21～27天连续7 d用含1%的OVA的PBS溶液雾化吸入激发各组小鼠。正常对照组使用PBS溶液致敏和激发。最后一次雾化吸入激发后24 h内,计数各组小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(BLAF)中嗜酸性粒细胞的含量,ELISA法检测IL-4、IL-5的分泌量及其血清IgG2a、IgE抗体的水平;肺组织病理切片观察各组小鼠哮喘模型的效果,评价最优哮喘造模的OVA浓度。结果 A～G组小鼠肺泡灌洗液中IL-4、IL-5含量均高于正常对照组(P<0.01),细胞因子水平随着OVA浓度的增高而逐渐下降;A～G组小鼠肺泡灌洗液中嗜酸性粒细胞数均高于正常对照组(P<0.01),从低浓度组至高浓度组嗜酸性粒细胞数从高向低变化;A～G组小鼠血清中总抗体IgE的水平均显著高于正常对照组(P<0.01),且随着OVA浓度的增高IgE水平逐渐下降。血清中IgG2a的水平则随OVA给药浓度的增高而逐渐增高;低浓度OVA致敏组小鼠肺组织标本可观察到明显的炎症浸润性病理表现,而高浓度组肺部组织病理变化不明显。结论低浓度的OVA连续致敏小鼠造成过敏性哮喘病理改变较为明显,随着OVA浓度的增高,造模效果逐渐降低,而高浓度的OVA则会导致模型小鼠发生免疫耐受。     

应用体内外实验筛选可降低牛乳β-乳球蛋白过敏的乳杆菌

【目的】通过体内外实验评估5种乳杆菌缓解牛乳β-乳球蛋白(BLG)过敏的作用,为今后筛选具有抗过敏活性的乳杆菌提供参考。【方法】首先体外分析5种活的/热致死的乳杆菌促进小鼠原代淋巴细胞分泌细胞因子(CK)IFN-γ和IL-4的水平,随后应用小鼠BLG过敏模型评估这5种乳杆菌抑制过敏的能力。将实验动物随机分为空白组、BLG致敏组和5种活的/热致死乳杆菌组。采用ELISA法检测各组小鼠淋巴细胞分泌Thl/Th2型CK的水平,并测定小鼠血清中总IgE和BLG特异性IgE的含量。【结果】在体外可促进淋巴细胞分泌IFN-γ、抑制IL-4,使其IFN-γ/IL-4比值(代表Thl/Th2细胞平衡)显著高于正常对照组(P<0.05)的乳杆菌,在体内实验中也能有效提高致敏小鼠淋巴细胞的IFN-γ/IL-4分泌率,并显著降低致敏小鼠血清中总IgE和BLG特异性IgE的水平(P<0.05)。相反,在体外的IFN-γ/IL-4比值较低的乳杆菌,不能缓解特异性IgE抗体介导的食物过敏反应。【结论】基于乳杆菌体外刺激小鼠原代淋巴细胞分泌Th1/Th2型CK的结果,可以预测菌株在体内具有可通过纠正Th2占优势的Th1/Th2细胞失衡,下调抗体分泌量,缓解小鼠BLG过敏症状的能力。     

杨树花粉致敏豚鼠过敏模型的建立

目的建立杨树花粉粗提物致敏激发的豚鼠过敏模型。方法 36只豚鼠随机分为正常组、卵清蛋白(OVA)阳性对照组和模型组,每隔5天经腹腔注射致敏1次,共3次,末次致敏后第5天雾化吸入激发。瑞氏染色观察支气管肺泡灌洗液(BAIF)中炎症细胞变化,电脑视频计数200个细胞中嗜酸性粒细胞数目;常规病理切片HE染色观察鼻黏膜、与肺的炎症情况;免疫组化法检测肺组织中IL-4及IFN-γ阳性细胞平均光密度值;酶联免疫吸附试验检测血清中的总IgE、HIS、LTB4、IL-4及IFN-γ水平。结果与正常组比较,OVA对照组、模型组均可诱导鼻黏膜及肺组织出现明显的变应性炎症;BALF涂片显示明显的炎症细胞(嗜酸性粒细胞、中性粒细胞)增多;肺组织中IL-4阳性细胞平均光密度值均高于正常组,IFN-γ阳性细胞平均光密度值均低于正常组;血清中总IgE、HIS、LTB4、IL-4均高于正常组;血清中IFN-γ则显著低于正常组。结论杨树花粉粗提物能够成功建立豚鼠过敏模型。该模型的建立有利于过敏性疾病机制的研究。     

血红素加氧酶-1介导CD4+CD25High调节性T淋巴细胞拮抗哮喘气道炎症的实验研究

探讨血红素加氧酶-1(HO-1, heme oxygenase-1)介导CD4⁺CD25^High调节性T淋巴细胞(Treg, regulatory T cells)拮抗哮喘气道炎症的作用. 用卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏、激发小鼠制备并建立哮喘动物模型, 并在致敏、激发过程中经氯化高铁血红素(Hemin)或锡-原卟啉(SnPP, Sn- protoporphyrin)处理. 分别测定激发后各组动物血清OVA特异性IgE, 支气管肺泡灌洗液中(BALF, bronchial alveolar lavage fluid)细胞总数和嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS, eosinophil)数及外周血CD4⁺CD25^High Treg细胞变化和肺组织HO-1和Foxp3 mRNA表达量, 结合病理切片分析气道炎症状况. 结果显示: OVA组、Hemin组、SnPP组血清OVA-特异性IgE和BALF中细胞总数及EOS数明显高于正常对照组, 但Hemin组IgE水平及BALF中细胞总数和EOS数明显低于OVA组; 而OVA组和SnPP组间IgE水平及BALF中细胞总数和EOS数无显著性差异; 病理组织学显示OVA组、Hemin组和SnPP组气道组织均见EOS浸润, 但Hemin组气道炎症仍明显轻于OVA组和SnPP组; Hemin组外周血CD4⁺CD25^High Treg细胞比例及肺组织Foxp3 mRNA相对表达量明显高于OVA组. Hemin显著上调HO-1表达. 实验表明, 用Hemin诱导HO-1高表达后外周血CD4⁺CD25^High Treg细胞比例及Foxp3 mRNA相对表达量明显升高, 同时血清OVA特异性IgE明显下降, BALF中细胞总数和EOS数减少, 气道炎症减轻; 提示HO-1可通过提高CD4⁺CD25^High Treg细胞比例并增强其功能来调节体内Th1/Th2平衡, 在支气管哮喘中起到保护作用.     

口服柔嫩梭菌对OVA致敏小鼠气道炎症的影响

目的 在动物水平探索口服柔嫩梭菌(Clostridium leptum)对哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响.方法 建立OVA致敏的BALB/c小鼠哮喘模型,依据检测气道炎症情况和气道反应性确定哮喘模型构建成功.30只BALB/c小鼠随机分为3组:正常对照组,安慰剂组和口服柔嫩梭菌治疗组,每组10只.通过HE染色检测小鼠肺组织病理变化,细胞计数检测肺泡灌洗液中炎性细胞(嗜酸性粒细胞、中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞、巨噬细胞)的数目,ELISA方法检测肺泡灌洗液中炎性因子(IL4、IL-5、IL-13)的表达情况,并检测各组小鼠的气道反应性.结果 验证OVA致敏哮喘小鼠模型构建成功;口服柔嫩梭菌可显著减轻OVA致敏小鼠的气道高反应性,气道炎症细胞浸润和炎性细胞因子分泌(P＜0.05).结论 口服柔嫩梭菌可显著减轻OVA致敏小鼠的气道炎症和气道高反应性,这可能为哮喘治疗提供新思路.     

变应性鼻炎模型小鼠鼻黏膜的形态学观察

目的:建立小鼠变应性鼻炎模型,观察小鼠鼻腔黏膜组织的重塑情况。方法:20只BALB/c小鼠被随机分为致敏组和对照组,使用卵清蛋白(OVA)诱导建立小鼠变应性鼻炎模型。通过HE染色观察小鼠鼻黏膜的大体重塑情况,吉姆萨染色观察嗜酸性粒细胞,阿辛蓝-过碘酸-希夫染色观察杯状细胞;酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法检测小鼠血清中白细胞介素-4(IL-4)的水平。结果:小鼠变应性鼻炎模型的生物学行为评分为6.5±1.3,提示造模成功。与对照组相比,致敏组鼻腔黏膜出现上皮细胞脱落、坏死,杯状细胞增生,鳞状上皮化生,固有层和黏膜下层腺体增生、血管扩张,组织水肿,固有层内可见特征性的嗜酸性粒细胞浸润,造模后鼻腔黏膜结构存在重塑。致敏组小鼠鼻黏膜嗜酸性粒细胞计数及杯状细胞计数分别为(26.4±5.72)和(24.14±3.12),而对照组分别是(8.31±2.42)和(9.41±1.22),两组比较均具有统计学差异(P0.05);致敏组血清中白细胞介素4(IL-4)水平为(18.9±3.1)pg/ml,对照组为(8.3±1.4)pg/ml,致敏组显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:通过卵清蛋白诱导建立的小鼠变应性鼻炎模型鼻腔黏膜存在组织重塑。     

双歧杆菌完整肽聚糖对食物过敏小鼠调节性T细胞影响的研究

目的以食物过敏小鼠为动物模型,通过灌喂双歧杆菌完整肽聚糖(Whole Peptidoglycan,WPG),观察其对调节性T细胞的作用。方法 4～6周龄SPF级无鸡蛋喂养BALB/c雌鼠随机分为3组,每组8只。取其中2组建立食物过敏模型,分别为OVA致敏阳性对照组、OVA激发后灌喂双歧杆菌WPG治疗组和生理盐水对照组。采用ELISA法检测各组血清中OVA特异性IgE、IL-10和TGF-β1水平;流式细胞术分析脾脏单个核细胞悬液中CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的数量变化。结果 OVA组IL-10、TGF-β1水平显著高于对照组(P分别0.05和0.01);WPG组血清IL-10和TGF-β1水平显著低于OVA组(P0.05)。OVA组脾CD4+CD25+T淋巴细胞的百分比低于对照组(P0.05),WPG组与OVA组相比有升高趋势,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);OVA组脾Foxp3+CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的百分比显著低于对照组(P0.01),WPG组与OVA组相比有升高趋势,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论双歧杆菌WPG可以增加食物过敏小鼠CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞数量,刺激细胞因子IL-10和TGF-β分泌。     

Enhanced airway Th2 response after allergen challenge in mice deficient in CC chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2)

To evaluate the role of CCR2 in allergic asthma, mutant mice deficient in CCR2 (CCR2(-/-)) and intact mice were sensitized with i.p. OVA with alum on days 0 and 7, and challenged by inhalation with nebulization of either OVA or saline. Airway hyperreactivity, measured by the methacholine-provoked increase in enhanced pause, was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in OVA-challenged CCR2(-/-) mutant mice, compared with comparably challenged CCR2(+/+) mice. OVA-challenged CCR2(-/-) mutants also were also found to have enhanced bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophilia, peribronchiolar cellular cuffing, and Ig subclass switching, with increase in OVA-specific IgG(1) and IgE. In addition, RNase protection assay revealed increased whole lung expression of IL-13 in OVA-challenged CCR2(-/-) mutants. Unexpectedly, serum monocyte chemotactic protein-1 levels were 8-fold higher in CCR2(-/-) mutants than in CCR2(+/+) mice sensitized to OVA, but OVA challenge had no additional effect on circulating monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in either genotype. Ag stimulation of lymphocytes isolated from OVA-sensitized CCR2 mutants revealed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in IL-5 production, which differed from OVA-stimulated lymphocytes from sensitized CCR2(+/+) mice. These experiments demonstrate an enhanced response in airway reactivity and in lung inflammation in CCR2(-/-) mutant mice compared with comparably sensitized and challenged CCR2(+/+) mice. These observations suggest that CC chemokines and their receptors are involved in immunomodulation of atopic asthma.     

卵蛋白反复吸入哮喘小鼠气道重构模型的建立与评价

目的：探讨哮喘小鼠气道重构模型的建立的方法。方法：SPF级BALB／C6-8周龄雌性小鼠40只随机分成正常对照组、哮喘模型组,每组20只。哮喘组经卵蛋白（OVA）混悬液0．2ml致敏并反复雾化吸入2周、4周,正常对照组由生理盐水代替。各组分别于末次雾化激发后进行取材,收集肺组织,制作石蜡切片,HE染色观察气道中嗜酸性粒细胞;Masson三色染色法观察气道周围胶原沉积情况;PAS染色法观察气道黏液分泌情况;测定单位气道面积基底膜周径（Pbm）、管壁总面积（WAt）、内壁面积（wAi）、平滑肌面积（WAm）、胶原面积（Wcol）、粘液面积。结果：哮喘模型组WAt／Pbm、WAi／Pbm、WAm/Pbm、Wcol／Pbm、粘液分泌面积较正常对照组明显增加。哮喘4周组上述指标均高于其对应2周组（P〈0．05）。结论：反复的过敏原（OVA）吸入可导致哮喘气道重构的发生,是一种较好的建立哮喘小鼠气道重构模型的的方法。     

Allergen-induced airway hyperreactivity is diminished in CD81-deficient mice

We demonstrated previously that CD81(-/-) mice have an impaired Th2 response. To determine whether this impairment affected allergen-induced airway hyperreactivity (AHR), CD81(-/-) BALB/c mice and CD81(+/+) littermates were sensitized i.p. and challenged intranasally with OVA. Although wild type developed severe AHR, CD81(-/-) mice showed normal airway reactivity and reduced airway inflammation. Nevertheless, OVA-specific T cell proliferation was similar in both groups of mice. Analysis of cytokines secreted by the responding CD81(-/-) T cells, particularly those derived from peribronchial draining lymph nodes, revealed a dramatic reduction in IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 synthesis. The decrease in cytokine production was not due to an intrinsic T cell deficiency because naive CD81(-/-) T cells responded to polyclonal Th1 and Th2 stimulation with normal proliferation and cytokine production. Moreover, there was an increase in T cells and a decrease in B cells in peribronchial lymph nodes and in spleens of immunized CD81(-/-) mice compared with wild-type animals. Interestingly, OVA-specific Ig levels, including IgE, were similar in CD81(-/-) and CD81(+/+) mice. Thus, CD81 plays a role in the development of AHR not by influencing Ag-specific IgE production but by regulating local cytokine production.     

Interleukin-10 does not mediate inhalational tolerance in a chronic model of ovalbumin-induced allergic airway disease

OBJECTIVE: IL-10 is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine, and IL-10-producing regulatory T cells are effective inhibitors of murine asthmatic responses. This study determined whether IL-10-dependent mechanisms mediated the local inhalational tolerance seen with chronic inhalational exposure to antigen. METHODS: Wildtype and IL-10(-/-) mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and then challenged with daily OVA inhalations for 10 days or 6 weeks. RESULTS: The 10-day animals developed allergic airway disease, characterized by BAL eosinophilia, histologic airway inflammation and mucus secretion, methacholine hyperresponsiveness, and OVA-specific IgE production. These changes were more pronounced in IL-10(-/-) mice. The 6-week IL-10(-/-) and wildtype animals both developed inhalational tolerance, with resolution of airway inflammation but persistence of OVA-specific IgE production. CONCLUSION: IL-10 may have anti-inflammatory effects in the acute stage of murine allergic airways disease, but the cytokine does not mediate the development of local inhalational tolerance with chronic antigen exposure.     

Costimulation blockade inhibits allergic sensitization but does not affect established allergy in a murine model of grass pollen allergy

Type I allergy is characterized by the development of an initial Th2-dependent allergen-specific IgE response, which is boosted upon a subsequent allergen encounter. Although the immediate symptoms of allergy are mainly IgE-mediated, allergen-specific T cell responses contribute to the late phase as well as to the chronic manifestations of allergy. This study investigates the potential of costimulation blockade with CTLA4Ig and an anti-CD154 mAb for modifying the allergic immune response to the major timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 5 in a mouse model. BALB/c mice were treated with the costimulation blockers at the time of primary sensitization to the Phl p 5 allergen or at the time of a secondary allergen challenge. Costimulation blockade (CTLA4Ig plus anti-CD154 or anti-CD154 alone) at the time of sensitization prevented the development of allergen-specific IgE, IgM, IgG, and IgA responses compared with untreated but sensitized mice. However, costimulation blockade had no influence on established IgE responses in sensitized mice. Immediate-type reactions as analyzed by a rat basophil leukemia cell mediator release assay were only suppressed by early treatment but not by a costimulation blockade after sensitization. CTLA4Ig given alone failed to suppress both the primary and the secondary allergen-specific Ab responses. Allergen-specific T cell activation was suppressed in mice by early as well as by a late costimulation blockade, suggesting that IgE responses in sensitized mice are independent of T cell help. Our results indicate that T cell suppression alone without active immune regulation or a shifting of the Th2/Th1 balance is not sufficient for the treatment of established IgE responses in an allergy.     

Timing of Bifidobacterium Administration Influences the Development of Allergy to Ovalbumin in Mice

C3H/HeJ mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and choleratoxin (CT) for 5 weeks, and then Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4 was administered continuously for 7 weeks, starting 2 weeks before (pre-treatment group) and 2 weeks after (post-treatment group) the initial sensitization. After sensitization, the OVA-induced (sham group) mice showed growth inhibition and had scab-covered tails which was associated with serum levels of 9887±175 ng OVA-specific IgE/ml and 758±525 ng IgG1/ml. The sera of the pre-treatment group had 4805±245 ng OVA-specific IgE/ml and 193±87 ng IgG1/ml, as well as less severe tail symptoms. The sera of the post-treatment group had 5723±207 ng OVA-specific IgE/ml but the IgG1 and IgG2a levels were the same as those of the sham group. In spleen cultures, both pre-treatment and post-treatment increased the levels of IFN-γ but decreased the levels of IL-6 and IL-18. Taken together, the in vivo and in vitro results show that treatment with Bifidobacterium before OVA sensitization suppresses or modulates the allergic response more effectively than treatment with Bifidobacterium following OVA sensitization.     

咪喹莫特对慢性哮喘模型小鼠肺组织中基质金属蛋白酶-9-表达的影响

目的：观察Toll样受体7配体咪喹莫特对慢性哮喘小鼠模型气道重塑及肺组织中基质金属蛋白酶MMP-9表达的影响。方法：36只BALB／c小鼠按随机原则分成正常对照组、哮喘模型组、咪喹莫特组,每组12只。通过卵蛋白致敏,气道激发8周,末次激发24h后,检测各组小鼠气道反应性,HE染色观察气道炎症变化;Masson三色染色观察气道纤维化的改变;real-timePCR和western—blot分别检测肺组织中MMP-9的mRNA和蛋白表达。结果：慢性哮喘组小鼠气道炎症、气道高反应性和气道重塑较正常对照小鼠明显加重,而咪喹莫特组小鼠模型的气道炎症和气道反应性及气道重塑均较哮喘模型组小鼠减少或降低。慢性哮喘组小鼠肺组织MMP-9的mRNA和蛋白水平均较正常对照小鼠明显增加（P〈0．05）,而咪喹莫特治疗可显著降低哮喘小鼠肺组织MMP-9的mRNA和蛋白水平（P〈0．05）。结论：咪喹莫特能够显著抑制慢性哮喘小鼠模型的气道炎症、降低气道高反应性并减轻气道重塑,这可能与其抑制MMP-9的表达有关。     

A novel adenovirus expressing Flt3 ligand enhances mucosal immunity by inducing mature nasopharyngeal-associated lymphoreticular tissue dendritic cell migration

Previously, we showed that nasal administration of a naked cDNA plasmid expressing Flt3 ligand (FL) cDNA (pFL) enhanced CD4(+) Th2-type, cytokine-mediated mucosal immunity and increased lymphoid-type dendritic cell (DC) numbers. In this study, we investigated whether targeting nasopharyngeal-associated lymphoreticular tissue (NALT) DCs by a different delivery mode of FL, i.e., an adenovirus (Ad) serotype 5 vector expressing FL (Ad-FL), would provide Ag-specific humoral and cell-mediated mucosal immunity. Nasal immunization of mice with OVA plus Ad-FL as mucosal adjuvant elicited high levels of OVA-specific Ab responses in external secretions and plasma as well as significant levels of OVA-specific CD4(+) T cell proliferative responses and OVA-induced IFN-gamma and IL-4 production in NALT, cervical lymph nodes, and spleen. We also observed higher levels of OVA-specific CTL responses in the spleen and cervical lymph nodes of mice given nasal OVA plus Ad-FL than in mice receiving OVA plus control Ad. Notably, the number of CD11b(+)CD11c(+) DCs expressing high levels of costimulatory molecules was preferentially increased. These DCs migrated from the NALT to mucosal effector lymphoid tissues. Taken together, these results suggest that the use of Ad-FL as a nasal adjuvant preferentially induces mature-type NALT CD11b(+)CD11c(+) DCs that migrate to effector sites for subsequent CD4(+) Th1- and Th2-type cytokine-mediated, Ag-specific Ab and CTL responses.     

CD1d expressed in mast cell surface enhances IgE production in B cells by up-regulating CD40L expression and mediator release in allergic asthma in mice

Mast cells play important roles via FcεRI-mediated activation in allergic asthma. A nonpolymorphic MHC I-like molecule CD1d, which is mainly expressed in APCs, presents glycolipid Ag to iTCR on iNKT cells and modulates allergic responses. This study aimed to investigate the role of CD1d on IgE production and mast cell activation related to allergic asthma. Bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) from C57BL/6 Wild type (WT) or KO (CD1d^−/−) mice were activated with Ag/Ab (refer to WT-act-BMMCs and KO-act-BMMCs, respectively) or α-Galactosylceramide (WT-αGal-BMMCs, KO-αGal-BMMCs) in the presence of iNKT cells. WT, KO or BMMC-transferred KO mice were sensitized and/or challenged by OVA or α-Gal to induce asthma. KO-act-BMMCs reduced intracellular Ca^2 + levels, expression of signaling molecules (Ras, Rac1/2, PLA₂, COX-2, NF-κB/AP-1), mediator release (histamines, leukotrienes and cytokines/chemokines), and total IgE levels versus the corresponding WT-BMMCs. KO mice reduced total and OVA-specific serum IgE levels, number of mast cells, recruiting molecules (CCR2/CCL2, VCAM-1, PECAM-1), expression of tryptase, c-kit, CD40L and cytokine mRNA, co-localization of c-kit and CD1d or iNKT cells in BAL cells or lung tissues, and PCA responses, compared with the corresponding WT mice. BMMC-transferred KO-both mice showed the restoration of all allergic responses versus KO-both mice (Ag/Ab reaction plus α-Gal). KO-αGal-BMMCs or KO-αGal mice did not show any responses. Our data suggest that CD1d-expressed mast cells may function as APC cells for iNKT cells and exacerbate airway inflammation and remodeling through up-regulating IgE production via B cell Ig class switching and mediator release in mast cells of OVA-challenged mice.