Abstract
BackgroundMycobacterium vaccae nebulization imparted protective effect against allergic asthma in a mouse model. The TGF-β/Smad signal transduction pathway plays an important role in allergic bronchial asthma. However, the effect of M. vaccae nebulization on the TGF-β/Smad signal transduction pathway in mouse models of allergic asthma remains unclear. This study investigated the preventive effect of M. vaccae nebulization during bronchial asthma in a mouse model and elucidate the implication of TGF-β/Smad signal transduction pathway in the process.MethodsIn total, 24 female Balb/c mice were randomized to normal control (group A), asthma control (group B), and M. vaccae nebulization (group C) groups. Both groups B and C were sensitized using ovalbumin for establishment of the asthmatic model; group A received phosphate-buffered solution. Prior to the establishment of asthma, Group C was nebulized with M. vaccae. Airway responsiveness was measured in all the groups, using a noninvasive lung function machine before and 24 h after establishment of the asthmatic model. The animals were then harvested, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected. The total cell counts in BALF was estimated. Protein expression of TGF-β1, TβR1, Smad1, and Smad7 was detected by immunohistochemistry. The population of CD3+γδT, IL-13+CD3+T, TGF-β+CD3+T, IL-13+CD3+γδT, and TGF-β+ CD3+ γδT cells were detected by flow cytometry. One-way analysis of variance for within-group comparisons, the least significant difference t-test or Student–Newman–Keuls test for intergroup comparisons, and the nonparametric rank sum test for analysis of airway inflammation scores were used in the study.ResultsThe eosinophil count; protein expression of TGF-β1, TβR1, and Smad1; and percentages of CD3+γδT and IL-13+CD3+T cells were significantly lower in the M. vaccae nebulization group than in the asthma control group (P < 0.01). There were significant intergroup differences in the percentages of TGF-β+CD3+T and IL-13+CD3+γδT cells (P < 0.05).ConclusionsMycobacterium vaccae nebulization could confer protection against allergic bronchial asthma by reducing airway responsiveness and alleviating airway inflammation in mice. The underlying mechanism might be attributed its effect on the deregulated expression of TGF-β1, TβR1, Smad1, and Smad7 of the TGF-β/Smad signal transduction pathway.
Highlights
Mycobacterium vaccae nebulization imparted protective effect against allergic asthma in a mouse model
The current study investigated the preventive effect of M. vaccae nebulization on bronchial asthma in a mouse model of allergic asthma and evaluated its effect on the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/Smad signal transduction pathway
The TGF-β superfamily is a multifunctional regulator and participates in a variety of pathophysiological processes in the airway, including alveolization, airway epithelial and endothelial barrier functions, immune cell chemotaxis, platelet aggregation, cell apoptosis, and cell differentiation and proliferation. These biological processes of the airway are implicated in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, and the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway becomes an important target for asthma prevention and treatment
Summary
Mycobacterium vaccae nebulization imparted protective effect against allergic asthma in a mouse model. The TGF-β/Smad signal transduction pathway plays an important role in allergic bronchial asthma. The effect of M. vaccae nebulization on the TGF-β/Smad signal transduction pathway in mouse models of allergic asthma remains unclear. This study investigated the preventive effect of M. vaccae nebulization during bronchial asthma in a mouse model and elucidate the implication of TGF-β/Smad signal transduction pathway in the process. Bronchial asthma is a serious global health concern afflicting 3 billion people worldwide, with an increasing prevalence in developed countries. There are no effective measures to prevent the condition. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is effective for the treatment of allergic patients with symptoms. Studies on the efficacy of immunotherapy during primary and secondary prevention of asthma and allergy are at their nascent stage
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