Pidotimod exacerbates allergic pulmonary infection in an OVA mouse model of asthma

Pidotimod is a synthetic dipeptide with biological and immuno‑modulatory properties. It has been widely used for treatment and prevention of recurrent respiratory infections. However, its impact on the regulation of allergic pulmonary inflammation is still not clear. In the current study, an ovalbumin (OVA)‑induced allergic asthma model was used to investigate the immune‑modulating effects of pidotimod on airway eosinophilia, mucus metaplasia and inflammatory factor expression compared with dexamethasone (positive control). The authors determined that treatment with pidotimod exacerbated pulmonary inflammation as demonstrated by significantly increased eosinophil infiltration, dramatically elevated immunoglobulin E production, and enhanced T helper 2 response. Moreover, treatment failed to attenuate mucus production in lung tissue, and did not reduce OVA‑induced high levels of FIZZ1 and Arg1 expression in asthmatic mice. In contrast, administration of dexamethasone was efficient in alleviating allergic airway inflammation in OVA‑induced asthmatic mice. These data indicated that pidotimod as an immunotherapeutic agent should be used cautiously and the effectiveness for controlling allergic asthma needs further evaluation and research.