Abstract
Allergic asthma is associated with airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness caused by the dysregulated production of cytokines secreted by allergen-specific helper T type 2 (Th2) cells. Allergic subjects produce relatively low amounts of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), a pleiotropic Th1 cytokine that downregulates Th2-associated responses. In this study, we examined the possibility of modulating ovalbumin (OVA)-induced inflammation and airway hyperreactivity (AHR) by recombinant adenovirus-mediated IFN-gamma (Ad-IFN-gamma) gene transfer. OVA-sensitized mice treated with Ad-IFN-gamma exhibit significantly lower levels of Th2 cytokines interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-5, OVA-specific serum IgE, lung eosinophilia, and AHR in response to methacholine challenge compared with control mice. The lung sections of the treated mice show less epithelial damage, mucous plugging, and eosinophil infiltration than controls. In contrast, Ad-IFN-gamma-treated mice express significantly higher levels of IFN-gamma and IL-12 when compared with controls. Moreover, administration of Ad-IFN-gamma to mice with established AHR significantly reduced AHR, Th2 cytokines, and lung inflammation. The IFN-gamma effects were dependent on IL-12 and STAT4 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 4), as mice treated with antibodies to IL-12 and STAT4 deficient mice show attenuated Ad-IFN-gamma responses. Thus, these results demonstrate that mucosal Ad-IFN-gamma gene transfer can effectively attenuate established allergen-induced airway inflammation and AHR, predominantly through an IL-12- and STAT4-dependent mechanism.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.