[Suppressive effect of corticosteroids on the gene expression of interleukin-5 and eosinophil activation in asthmatics].
Although cortico steroids are effective anti-inflammatory agents in ameliorating asthma symptoms and bronchial hperreactivity, their mechanism of action is unknown. Interleukin (IL)-5 is known to play a key role in regulating eosinophil proliferation and activation. Therefore, we examined the changes of IL-5 mRNA expressions in PBMC semi-quantitatively with RT-PCR as well as serum ECP levels and MCH-PC20 values in asthmatics before and after being treated with corticosteroids. The results revealed that there were significant decrease in the level of IL-5 mRNA and serum ECP concentration after therapy (P < 0.05) and there was remarkable improvement in the values of MCH-PC20 and FEV1% (P < 0.05). It was also found that the changes of serum ECP levels or MCH-PC20 values were accompanied by a reduction in IL-5 mRNA expression (r = 0.5426 or 0.4857, P < 0.05). These results suggested that the therapeutic effects of corticosteroids in asthma may result from modulation of IL-5 gene expression with consequent inhibition of eosinophil activation.
Liu
X
X
Department of Respiratory Medicine, XiJing Hospital, 4th Military Medical University, Xi-an.
Sun
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015848:Interleukin-5; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011241:Prednisone