Galectin-9及其受体Tim-3 在哮喘小鼠肺组织中的表达

Expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 in lungs of mice with asthma

摘要:

目的：探讨半乳糖凝集素-9（Galectin-9）及其受体T 细胞免疫球蛋白粘蛋白分子-3（Tim-3）在哮喘小鼠肺组织中的表达及 PPAR-γ激动剂罗格列酮（ROS）对其表达的影响。方法45 只清洁级雌性 BALB/c 小鼠随机分为对照组、哮喘组、ROS干预组。观察卵清蛋白激发及ROS干预治疗后哮喘小鼠肺组织的病理变化；应用 RT-PCR 方法检测肺组织 Galectin-9 和 Tim-3 mRNA 的表达；采用酶联免疫吸附测定法检测外周血 IL-4 及 IFN-γ的表达水平。结果哮喘组肺组织 Galectin-9 和 Tim-3 mRNA 表达显著高于对照组及 ROS 干预组（P<0.05）。哮喘组外周血 IL-4 的表达量较对照组及 ROS 组明显升高，而 IFN-γ表达量较对照组及 ROS 组明显降低（P<0.05）。Galectin-9 和 Tim-3 mRNA 表达量与 IL-4 呈正相关（r=0.792，0.794，P<0.05），与 IFN-γ呈负相关（r=-0.692，-0.757，P<0.05）。结论 哮喘小鼠气道肺组织中 Galectin-9 和 Tim-3 mRNA 表达有明显升高，并且其改变与 Th1/Th2 细胞因子表达量具有相关性，ROS干预治疗后 Galectin-9 和 Tim-3 mRNA 表达下调。

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 in lungs of mice with asthma and the effect of rosiglitazone (PPAR-γ agonist) on their expression. METHODS: Fortyfive BALB/c SPF female mice were randomized into control group and asthma groups with and without rosiglitazone intervention. After ovalbumin stimulation and rosiglitazone intervention the pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed. Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA levels in lung tissues were determined using RT-PCR. The levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ in peripheral blood were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: The expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA of lung tissues in the untreated asthma group increased significantly compared with the control and the rosiglitazone treated groups (P<0.05). A significantly increased blood expression of IL-4 and a significantly decreased blood expression of IFN-γ were found in the untreated asthma group compared with the control and the rosiglitazone-treated groups (P<0.05). The expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA was positively correlated with blood IL-4 level (r=0.792, r=0.794 respectively; P<0.05), but negatively correlated with blood IFN-γ level (r=-0.692, r=-0.757 respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA levels in lungs increase in mice with asthma and significantly correlate with the levels of blood Th1/Th2 cytokines. This suggests that Galectin-9 and Tim-3 are closely related to inflammatory process in asthma. Rosiglitazone treatment may decrease the expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3.