scholarly journals Effects of thermal ablation on Treg/Th17 in hepatocellular carcinoma of mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 205873921983248
Author(s):  
Shengchuan Huang ◽  
Nina Qu ◽  
Yanming Men ◽  
Zhen Liu
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Thermal Ablation ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Group Model ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Model Group ◽  
Tumor Tissues

The study was aimed to explore the possible function of thermal ablation treatment on T helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells in transplantation of hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. In total, 60 male C57BL/6 mice were divided into control group, model group, and treat group. Flow cytometry was used to detect the frequency of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood. The levels of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-23, IL-10, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The levels of IL-17, RORγt, Foxp3, and TGF-β mRNA in tumor tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Compared with the model group, tumor size was significantly decreased after thermal ablation treatment. After treatment, the frequency of Th17 cells in peripheral blood was significantly decreased, while the frequency of Treg cells was profoundly increased ( P < 0.05). The levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly downregulated, while IL-10 and TGF-β levels were upregulated ( P < 0.05). IL-17 and RORγt mRNA levels in tumor tissues were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05), and Foxp3 and TGF-β mRNA levels were significantly increased ( P < 0.05). Thermal ablation treatment plays a positive role in the treatment of hepatoma in mice through affecting the imbalance of Th17/Treg cells.

Expression and Significance of Th17 Cells and Related Factors in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 232-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihong An
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Hepatitis ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serum Total Bilirubin ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Tnf Α

Objective: This study aims to investigate the expression and clinical significance of Th17 cells and related factors in peripheral blood of patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH). Methods: A retrospective selection of 100 patients with AIH were included as a study group, and 100 healthy volunteers in the outpatient clinic were selected as the control group. The levels of IL- 17, IL-6, IL-21 and TNF-α in peripheral blood of all subjects were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the frequency of Th17 cells and Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry. Results: Results showed that the study group had higher levels of serum total bilirubin (TBil), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ -glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) than the control group, as well as higher levels of IL-17, IL-6, IL-21 and TNF-α in serum. The frequency of Th17 cells in peripheral blood was higher in the study group, while the frequency of Treg cells was lower. Also, serum IL-17, TNF-α levels and Th17 cells frequency were positively correlated with ALT and AST, whereas Treg cells frequency were negatively correlated with ALT and AST levels. Conclusion: Our finding demonstrates that Th17 cell frequency and their related factors IL-17 and TNF-α, are associated with liver damage, which might be used to monitor AIH disease severity.

scholarly journals Metabolic Disturbance and Th17/Treg Imbalance Are Associated With Progression of Gingivitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weijie Wang ◽  
Xinchang Wang ◽  
Shuhao Lu ◽  
Huiqing Lv ◽  
Ting Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Blood ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Metabolic Disturbance ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Foxp3 Mrna

ObjectiveThis study sought to explore the role of metabolic disturbance in immunoregulation of gingivitis targeting T helper 17 cells (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg).Materials and MethodsA total of 20 gingivitis patients and 19 healthy volunteers were recruited. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate expression patterns of Forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), retinoid-related orphan receptor-gammat (RORγt) and interleukin 17A (IL-17A) in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of subjects across the two groups. Moreover, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to detect levels of TGF-β, IL-4, IL-6,TL-10 and L-17A secreted in the plasma as well as the SIgA secreted in saliva. Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentage of CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+Treg cells and the percentage of CD4+IL-17A+ Th17 cells in whole blood of subjects in both groups. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to analyze the plasma metabolites in the gingivitis patient group. Statistical analysis was applied to determine whether the plasma metabolites and related metabolic pathways significantly differed between gingivitis patients and healthy controls. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was employed to identify the potential relation between the metabolites and the Th17 and Treg related pathway.ResultsThe percentages of CD4+IL17A+Th17 cells and IL-17 significantly increased in the peripheral blood in the gingivitis group. Moreover, the upregulation of IL-17A mRNA and RORγt mRNA were also found in the gingivitis group. However, the percentage of CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+Treg cells and Foxp3 mRNA in the whole blood did not significantly change. However, TGF-β mRNA as well as TGF-β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 in the periperial blood and SIgA in the saliva were higher in the gingivitis group. Notably, that the ratio of Th17/Treg cells was significantly increased during peripheral circulation. Furthermore, we identified 18 different metabolites which were differentially expressed in plasma between the gingivitis and healthy control groups. Notably, the levels of cholesterol, glycerol 1-octadecanoate, d-glucose, uric acid, cyclohexaneacetic acid, 3-pyridine, tryptophan, and undecane 2,4-dimethyl were significantly up-regulated. whereas the levels of lactic acid, glycine, linoleic acid, monopalmitic acid, glycerol, palmitic acid, pyruvate, 1-(3-methylbutyl)-2,3,4,6-tetramethylbenzene, 1 5-anhydro d-altrol, and boric acid were down-regulated in the gingivitis group, relative to healthy controls. IPA showed that these metabolites are connected to IL17 signaling, TGF-B signaling, and IL10 signaling, which are related closely to Th17 and Treg pathway.ConclusionOverall, these results showed that disturbance to glycolysis as well as amino and fatty acid metabolism are associated with Th17/Treg balance in gingivitis. Impaired immunometabolism may influence some periodontally involved systemic diseases, hence it is a promising strategy in targeted development of treatment therapies.

scholarly journals Plasma interleukin-17 and alpha-fetoprotein combination effectively predicts imminent hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence in liver cirrhotic patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kung-Hao Liang ◽  
Ming-Wei Lai ◽  
Yang-Hsiang Lin ◽  
Yu-De Chu ◽  
Chih-Lang Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Alpha Fetoprotein ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Medical Need ◽  
Tumor Tissues ◽  
Resected Tumor ◽  
Cirrhotic Patients ◽  
A Prospective Study

Abstract Background Predicting imminent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in liver cirrhotic patients is an unmet medical need. We aimed to investigate circulatory biomarkers and their optimum combinations in a prospective study. Methods We investigated plasma interleukin 17 (IL-17) concentrations, quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for the prediction of HCC in a large cohort of 404 HCC-naïve liver cirrhotic patients regularly followed after recruitment. Additionally, IL-17 in surgically resected tumor tissues were evaluated using immunohistochemistry staining. Results IL-17 was detected in HCC tissues. The IL-17 concentrations in the peripheral blood do not have correlation with an extensive list of 31 common demographic, metabolic and liver function variables in the cohort of liver cirrhotic patients. Furthermore, patients stratified by IL-17 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) showed distinctive cumulative incidence of HCC. Imminent HCC, defined here as HCC occurrence within 1 year, can be predicted by IL-17 alone with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] of 0.762 (P = 0.002). An multivariate analysis showed that age, hepatitis C viral infection, AFP and IL-17 were four independent factors associated with imminent HCC (adjusted P = 0.03, 0.041, 0.024 and 0.008 respectively). An explicit risk score (R) combining the concentrations of two plasma biomarkers, AFP and IL-17, achieved a high AUC of 0.933 (95% confidence interval 0.893–0.972, P < 0.001) in predicting imminent HCC, with 100% sensitivity and 79.9% specificity at the optimum cutoff. The score is defined as: $${\text{R}} = (2.6914)*{\text{IL-17}} + (0.3909)*{\text{AFP}} - (0.80812875)*{\text{IL-17}}^{2} + (0.10288876884)*{\text{IL-17}}^{2} *{\text{AFP}}.$$ R = ( 2.6914 ) ∗ IL-17 + ( 0.3909 ) ∗ AFP - ( 0.80812875 ) ∗ IL-17 2 + ( 0.10288876884 ) ∗ IL-17 2 ∗ AFP . Conclusions The circulatory IL-17 concentration is a predictor of subsequent HCC occurrence in liver cirrhotic patients. The combination of AFP and IL-17 is highly effective in predicting imminent HCC within 1 year.

Th1 and Th17 Predominance in the Enthesitis-related Arthritis Form of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 1730-1736 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANKIT MAHENDRA ◽  
RAMNATH MISRA ◽  
AMITA AGGARWAL
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ◽  
Synovial Fluid ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Th2 Cells ◽  
Median Frequency ◽  
Enthesitis Related Arthritis

Objective.A Th1 biased immune response in synovial fluid has been reported in children with polyarticular and extended oligoarticular-type juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). We investigated T cell phenotypes including Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg with emphasis on Th17 and Treg, in order to differentiate cytokines in the enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) form of JIA.Methods.The frequencies of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells were determined by flow cytometry in peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid from patients with ERA and healthy subjects. Levels of interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, IL-21, IL-23, and transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß), cytokines that influence Th17 lineage cells, were measured in paired plasma and synovial fluid (SF) samples by ELISA. Frequencies are expressed as percentages and cytokine levels as pg/ml.Results.There were no differences in blood samples in the frequency of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells between patients and controls. In paired samples, the median frequency of CD4+IFN-γ+ (20.49 vs 4.03; p < 0.005) and CD4+IL-17+ (2.27 vs 0.57; p < 0.01) cells was significantly higher in SF compared to PB, respectively; whereas the frequency of CD4+IL-4+ (1.79 vs 2.29; p < 0.04) cells was significantly reduced in the SF compared to PB. There was no difference in the frequency of regulatory T cells. Patients receiving methotrexate had fewer Th2 cells, whereas the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire score had a negative association with the frequency of Treg. Median levels of IL-1ß (p < 0.008), IL-6 (p < 0.0001), and IL-17 (p < 0.0001) were higher in SF than in plasma and levels of TGF-ß were lower (p < 0.001). Levels of IL-21 were similar in SF and plasma, whereas IL-23 was undetectable.Conclusion.In patients with ERA, peripheral blood Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells were unchanged, but Th1 and Th17 cells were increased and Th2 cells were reduced in the SF compared to blood. Elevated IL-1ß and IL-6 in SF may be responsible for increased Th17 cells.

Abstract 51: Peripheral Regulatory T cells and Th17 Cells Is Associated With Pathogenesis of Moyamoya Disease

Stroke ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leihua Weng ◽  
Xiang Chen ◽  
Yun Xu
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Moyamoya Disease ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes ◽  
Pathological Process ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Gender

Background: Despite unclear pathogenesis, previous studies have suggested immune responses may play a pivotal role in the process of Moyamoya disease (MMD), a rare cerebrovascular occlusive disorder. The objective of this study is aimed to explore the change of peripheral Treg/Th17 in MMDpatients and whether the change is associated with pathogenesis of MMD. Methods: In the present study, we collected 26 MMD patients diagnosed by angiography according to the diagnostic criteria of definitive MMD and recruited 32 healthy volunteers. To explore the balance of peripheral Treg/Th17 in MMD patients, lymphocytes in peripheral blood were harvested and flow cytometry was used to measure the percentage of Treg and Th17in CD4+ Tcells, respectively. Meanwhile, relevant cytokines in serum were measured to evaluate the function of Treg and Th17 cells. Results: According to Suzuki’s angiographic staging of moyamoya disease, patients were divided into subgroups of the preliminary-term, medium-term and late-term. Cerebral hemorrhage is thefirstsymptom of onset occuringin half of patients, followed bycerebral ischemia.Our data revealed that both the percentage of Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes was increased in MMD patients compared with volunteer group. Meanwhile, the levels of IL-6, IL-10,IL-12, IL-17, TNF-α, VEGF and TGF-β in serum were significantly increased in MMD patients. In this study, the level of HMGB-1, a middle-late period inflammation biomarker, in serum of MMD patients is obviously elevated compared with volunteers. However, the ratio of Treg/Th17 had no significant difference in MMD patients compared to healthy volunteers. Intriguingly, our data revealed that ratio of Treg/Th17 was significantly increased in late-term MMD patients compared with medium-term patients as evidenced by elevated percentage of Treg cells.. In addition, TGF-β level in later-term MMD patients was significantly higher than this in medium-term MMD patients. No difference was observed in the way of onset and gender between two groups. Conclusion: Enhanced peripheral Treg and Th17 in MMD patients suggested that there may be an immunological component in the pathogenesis of MMD. Peripheral Treg may be associated with pathological process of MMD.

scholarly journals Yupingfeng Pulvis Regulates the Balance of T Cell Subsets in Asthma Mice

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhigang Wang ◽  
Xueting Cai ◽  
Zhonghua Pang ◽  
Dawei Wang ◽  
Juan Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bronchoalveolar Lavage ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ◽  
Lavage Fluid ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Group Model ◽  
Therapy Effect ◽  
Tract Infections

Background. Yupingfeng Pulvis (HFBP) had played an active role in many diseases, especially respiratory tract infections. Exploring the possible prevention mechanism of HFBP may provide new ideas in clinical applications for this well-known herbal formula.Purpose. To study the possible mechanisms of therapy effect of HFBP on asthma mice via regulating the balance of Tregs and Th17 cells.Method. The female BALB/c mice were divided into five groups: control group, model group, prednisone (5.5 mg/kg) group, and 22 g/kg HFBP and 44 g/kg HFBP groups. Ovalbumin was used to make the asthma model of mice; the drug was ig administered daily after atomization for consecutive 15 d. The mice were killed after the last administration. The paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the lungs were stained by H&E. Tregs and Th17 cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were detected by flow cytometry. IL-4, TGF-β, and TNF-αin the serum were detected by ELISA assay.Results. HFBP could alleviate the inflammation in the lung tissue of mice, decrease the proportion of Th17 cells, and increase the proportion of Treg cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. HFBP could decrease IL-4 and TNF-αlevel and increase TGF-βlevel in blood.Conclusion. HFBP could treat the asthma through impacting the balance of Th17 cells and Treg cells as well as the levels of related inflammatory cytokines in asthma mice.

scholarly journals The protective effect of curcumin on rats with DSS-induced ulcerative colitis and its mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Guo ◽  
Yan-yan Zhang ◽  
Mei Sun ◽  
Ling-fen Xu
Keyword(s):  
Ulcerative Colitis ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Dextran Sulfate ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
T Helper ◽  
T Helper 17 ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

Abstract Aim This study aimed to explore effect of curcumin on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in rats and its mechanism.Methods: A dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) rat model was established. The disease activity index (DAI) scores were calculated. The histopathological damage scores were determined by haematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Regulatory T (Treg) cells and T helper 17 (Th17) cells in the spleen were analysed by flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-17A were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Compared with the DSS model group, the curcumin group exhibited significantly reduced DAI scores and improvements in histopathological damage. The expression of CD4+IL-17+ Th17 cells was significantly lower and the expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells was significantly higher in the curcumin group than in the DSS group.Conclusion: Curcumin may be a new and effective treatment for IBD by regulating the balance of Treg/Th17 cells and the expression of IL-10 and IL-17A.

scholarly journals MBD2 as a Potential Novel Biomarker for Identifying Severe Asthma With Different Endotypes

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhifeng Chen ◽  
Yu Yuan ◽  
Yi He ◽  
Binaya Wasti ◽  
Wentao Duan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Asthma ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Th2 Cells ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Asthma Control Test ◽  
Cationic Protein ◽  
Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽  
Th17 Cell Differentiation

Background: Studies have shown that methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) expression is significantly elevated in a neutrophil-dominant severe asthma mouse model. It also regulates Th17 cell differentiation. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum MBD2 levels in patients with severe asthma with different endotypes.Methods: Eligible adults with confirmed asthma (n = 63) underwent a clinical assessment, asthma control test and pulmonary function test and were classified as having mild, moderate or severe asthma. Severe asthma endotypes were defined according to the percentage of Th2 and Th17 cells in the peripheral blood and by the type of inflammation. The percentage of Th2 and Th17 cells in the peripheral blood was determined by flow cytometry. Serum MBD2, eosinophilic cationic protein and myeloperoxidase were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlations of MBD2 expression with clinical parameters were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation analysis.Results: Serum MBD2 levels were upregulated in patients with severe asthma compared to healthy controls and patients with mild to moderate asthma. MBD2 was also significantly increased in patients with Th17 severe asthma compared to patients with type 2 severe asthma. Furthermore, MBD2 was positively correlated with MPO and Th17 cells but negatively correlated with ECP and Th2 cells in patients with severe asthma.Conclusions: These findings suggest that serum MBD2 may be a potential new biomarker for identifying severe asthma, Th17 severe asthma and the type of airway inflammation. However, these findings are still preliminary and need to be further investigated.

Lipidomics Study of the Therapeutic Mechanism of Plantaginis Semen in Potassium Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemia Rat

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjun Shi ◽  
Fei Yang ◽  
Liting Wang ◽  
Nankun Qin ◽  
Chengxiang Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Rats ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Intragastric Administration ◽  
Group Model ◽  
Model Group ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Plantaginis Semen ◽  
Potassium Oxonate

Abstract BackgroundPlantaginis semen has been widely used as folk medicine and health care food against hyperuricemia (HUA) and gout, but little was known about its pharmacological mechanism. MethodsThe model was established by potassium oxonate intragastric administration. 42 Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, benzbromarone group (10 mg/kg) and three Plantaginis semen groups (n = 7). The Plantaginis semen groups were treated orally with Plantaginis semen at 0.9375, 1.875 and 3.75 g/kg for 28 days. The levels of serum uric acid (UA), creatinine (Cr), triacylglycerol (TG) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Ultra performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used as the basis for serum lipidomics analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was carried out for the pattern recognition and characteristic metabolites identification. The relative levels of critical regulatory factors of urate anion transporter 1(URAT1) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/ protein kinases B (PI3K/Akt) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). ResultsCompared with the model group, the levels of serum UA, Cr, and TG were significantly (p<0.01) decreased in benzbromarone and three Plantaginis semen groups and the level of serum TNF-α was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in benzbromarone and low dose of Plantaginis semen group. With lipidomics analysis, significant lipid metabolic perturbations were observed in HUA rats, 13 metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway was mostly affected. These perturbations can be partially restored via treatment of benzbromarone and Plantaginis semen. Additionally, the URAT1 and PI3K/Akt mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) after treatment with benzbromarone and high dose of Plantaginis semen. ConclusionsPlantaginis semen had significant anti-HUA, anti-inflammatory and renal protection effects and could attenuate potassium oxonate-induced HUA through regulation of lipid metabolism disorder. Trial registrationNot applicable

scholarly journals Antagonistic Peptides That Specifically Bind to the First and Second Extracellular Loops of CCR5 and Anti-IL-23p19 Antibody Reduce Airway Inflammation by Suppressing the IL-23/Th17 Signaling Pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Yingli Zhang ◽  
Rongrong Liang ◽  
Aicen Xie ◽  
Wenqian Shi ◽  
Huarong Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Airway Inflammation ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Disorder ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
T Helper 17 ◽  
Mucus Production ◽  
Chronic Inflammatory Disorder ◽  
Extracellular Loops

Asthma is a heterogeneous chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways with a complex etiology, which involves a variety of cells and cellular components. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of antagonistic peptides that specifically bind to the first and second extracellular loops of CCR5 (GH and HY peptides, respectively) and anti-interleukin-23 subunit p19 (anti-IL-23p19) in the airway and thereby mediate inflammation and the IL-23/T helper 17 (Th17) cell pathway in asthmatic mice. An experimental asthma model using BALB/c mice was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) and treated with peptides that are antagonistic to CCR5 or with anti-IL-23p19. The extents of the asthmatic inflammation and mucus production were assessed. In addition, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, the cells were counted, and the IL-4 level was detected by ELISA. The IL-23/Th17 pathway-related protein and mRNA levels in the lung tissues were measured, and the positive production rates of Th17 cells in the thymus, spleen, and peripheral blood were detected. The groups treated with one of the two peptides and/or anti-IL-23p19 showed significant reductions in allergic inflammation and mucus secretion; decreased expression levels of IL-23p19, IL-23R, IL-17A and lactoferrin (LTF); and reduced proportions of Th17 cells in the thymus, spleen, and peripheral blood. Specifically, among the four treatment groups, the anti-IL-23p19 with HY peptide group exhibited the lowest positive production rate of Th17 cells. Our data also showed a significant and positive correlation between CCR5 and IL-23p19 protein expression. These findings suggest that the administration of peptides antagonistic to CCR5 and/or anti-IL-23p19 can reduce airway inflammation in asthmatic mice, most likely through inhibition of the IL-23/Th17 signaling pathway, and the HY peptide can alleviate inflammation not only through the IL-23/Th17 pathway but also through other mechanisms that result in the regulation of inflammation.

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