Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
Assessment of Respiratory Function in Conscious Mice by Double-chamber Plethysmography
Published on: July 10, 2018
[Effect of glucocorticoid on CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells in asthmatic mice]
Min Li1, Li Song, Jian-Bo Zhang
1Department of Pediatrics, Sichuan Province People's Hospital, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610072, China.
Objective:
To determine the changes of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and the levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta1 in the mouse model of asthma and the effects of glucocorticoid inhalation on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and IL-10 and TGF-beta1 levels.
Methods:
Thirty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: asthma model, glucocorticoid treatment and control. Asthma was induced by OVA administration in the asthma model and the glucocorticoid treatment groups. The glucocorticoid treatment group received budesonide inhalation (0.8 mg/L) before the challenge of asthma. After 24 hrs of the last challenge, the lung tissues of middle lobe of the right lung were obtained for the observation of lung pathological changes. Peripheral anticoagulated blood and lung lymph cells suspension were collected. The percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in CD4+ T cells was detected by flow cytometry, and the levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta1 in plasma were measured using ELISA.
Results:
The percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood and lung lymph cells suspension in the asthma model group was significantly lower than the control group ( P<0.01). The glucocorticoid-treated asthma group showed an increased percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells compared with the asthma model group (P<0.01) and a similar percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood and lung lymph cells suspension to the control group. Compared with the control group, plasma levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta1 decreased significantly in the asthma model group (P<0.01). After glucocorticoid treatment plasma IL-10 level increased significantly (P<0.01) and was similar to that in the control group, while plasma TGF-beta1 level remained lower than that in the control group.
Conclusions:
The percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and the levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta1 decreased in asthmatic mice which might contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma. Glucocorticoid can increase the percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and the levels of IL-10 and thus provides protective effects against asthma. The changes of the percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood were consistent with those in the lung, suggesting that monitoring the changes of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood may be useful to understand the changes of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the lung.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:19Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.