InactivatedMycobacterium phleiinhalation ameliorates allergic asthma through modulating the balance of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T and Th17 cells in mice.
OBJECTIVE
Th2 response is related to the aetiology of asthma, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. To address this point, the effect of nebulized inhalation of inactivatedMycobacterium phleion modulation of asthmatic airway inflammation was investigated.


METHODS
24 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group (Group A), asthma model group (Group B), and the medicated asthma model group (Group C). Group B and C were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Group C was treated with aerosolM. phleionce daily before OVA challenge. Airway responsiveness in each group was assessed. All the animals were killed, and lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested. Inflammatory response, proportion of Th17 and CD4+CD25+ Treg cells, and the levels of cytokines were analyzed in lung tissue.


RESULTS
The proportion of Th17 cells and expression level of IL17, IL23, and IL23R were increased, while Foxp3 expression was decreased in Group B. Inhaling inactivatedM. phleiinhibited airway inflammation and improved airway hyper-responsiveness, as well as peak expiratory flow (PEF). In addition, it significantly increased Th17 proportion, Foxp3 level, and the proportion of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in lung tissue in Group C.


CONCLUSIONS
InactivatedM. phleiwas administered by atomization that suppressed airway inflammation and airway hyper responsiveness partially via modulating the balance of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T and Th17 cells.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China 530021.
Moyu
M
Ming
Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China 530021.
Zhixi
Z
Luo
Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China 530021.
Shengqiu
S
Lv
Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China 530021.
Qixiang
Q
Sun
Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China 530021.
Chaoqian
C
Li
Airway hyper-responsiveness; Asthma; Atomization; IL-17; Mycobacterium phlei; Th17; Treg