Effect of dexamethasone on expression of interleukin-21 and phospho-STAT3 in a murine model of chronic asthma.
- Author:
Jing GONG
1
;
Yaling LUO
;
Zhan ZHANG
;
Weiying WANG
;
Junhong LI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Asthma; metabolism; Dexamethasone; pharmacology; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Interleukins; metabolism; Lung; drug effects; metabolism; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Phosphorylation; STAT3 Transcription Factor; metabolism; Signal Transduction
- From: Journal of Southern Medical University 2013;33(5):742-745
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of dexamethasone on the expression of interleukin-21 (IL-21) and phospho- STAT3 (p-STAT3) in a murine model of chronic asthma.
METHODSThirty-three female BALB/C mice were randomly divided into control group, asthmatic group and dexamethasone-treated group (n=11). In the latter two groups, asthmatic models were established by ovalbumin administration. The cells in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted and classified. The airway inflammation was evaluated by HE staining, and the expressions of IL-21 and p-STAT3 in the lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.
RESULTSThe total cell number and lymphocyte number in the BALF were significantly higher in asthmatic group than in the control group and dexamethasone group (P/0.01). Compared with the control group, the asthmatic group showed significantly increased protein expressions of IL-21 and p-STAT3 (P<0.05), which were reduced by dexamethasone intervention (P/0.05).
CONCLUSIONDexamethasone can inhibit the expression of IL-21 and p-STAT3 in the murine model of chronic asthma, suggesting the importance of IL-21/STAT3 signaling pathway in the therapeutic mechanisms of dexamethasone for asthma.
