[Exploration of mechanisms underlying T-cell anergy induced by immunotherapy in allergic murine asthma model].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the mechanisms underlying the T cell anergy induced by immunotherapy for the treatment of allergic asthma.


METHODS
Murine model of allergic asthma was established through the OVA sensitization and challenge. Three injections of 1 mg OVA were used as immunotherapy. Pathological examination of lung tissues, cell count and differential count of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), determination of serum OVA-specific IgE, and measurement of IL-2 and IL-4 production and proliferation of the splenic T cells to OVA were preformed to analyze the effect of immunotherapy on asthma. The expression of CTLA-4 on splenic T cells was detected by FACS.


RESULTS
Asthma-specific immunotherapy could alleviate lung inflammation, decrease eosinophil infiltration in BALF (P<0.01) and serum OVA-specific IgE, inhibit the production of IL-2 and IL-4 and the proliferation of splenic T cells to OVA (P<0.01), and up-regulate the expression of CTLA-4 on splenic T cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The up-regulation of CTLA-4 expression on T cells may be involved in the T cell anergy induced by asthma-specific immunotherapy.
Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China. cxm65420021@yahoo.com
Xiao-ming
XM
Cheng
Gui-sheng
GS
Qian
Chang-zheng
CZ
Wang
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D017635:Clonal Anergy; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556707:Ctla4 protein, mouse; D004527:Egg Proteins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E