title: [Expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 in lungs of mice with asthma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 in lungs of mice with asthma and the effect of rosiglitazone (PPAR-γ agonist) on their expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fortyfive BALB/c SPF female mice were randomized into control group and asthma groups with and without rosiglitazone intervention. After ovalbumin stimulation and rosiglitazone intervention the pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed. Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA levels in lung tissues were determined using RT-PCR. The levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ in peripheral blood were measured using ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA of lung tissues in the untreated asthma group increased significantly compared with the control and the rosiglitazone treated groups (P<0.05). A significantly increased blood expression of IL-4 and a significantly decreased blood expression of IFN-γ were found in the untreated asthma group compared with the control and the rosiglitazone-treated groups (P<0.05). The expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA was positively correlated with blood IL-4 level (r=0.792, r=0.794 respectively; P<0.05), but negatively correlated with blood IFN-γ level (r=-0.692, r=-0.757 respectively; P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA levels in lungs increase in mice with asthma and significantly correlate with the levels of blood Th1/Th2 cytokines. This suggests that Galectin-9 and Tim-3 are closely related to inflammatory process in asthma. Rosiglitazone treatment may decrease the expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Third Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Ying
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Luan
authors.forename: Xiao-Xia
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D037161:Galectins / Q000235:genetics*; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D037161:Galectins; C442241:Havcr2 protein, mouse; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D047495:PPAR gamma; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; C508186:galectin 9, mouse; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma