TY - JOUR
T1 - Low dose oral administration of cytokines for treatment of allergic asthma
AU - Gariboldi, Silvia
AU - Palazzo, Marco
AU - Zanobbio, Laura
AU - Dusio, Giuseppina F.
AU - Mauro, Valentina
AU - Solimene, Umberto
AU - Cardani, Diego
AU - Mantovani, Martina
AU - Rumio, Cristiano
PY - 2009/12
Y1 - 2009/12
N2 - Many inflammatory diseases are characterized by an imbalance among lymphocyte populations, in particular Th1, Th2 and the recently described Th17 cells. The Th1/Th2 imbalance is linked to many factors, but certainly the role of cytokines is essential. In Th2 diseases IL-4 expression is predominant, while Th1 pathologies are characterized by high expression of IFN-γ and IL-12. Though today the therapeutical proposal for many inflammatory diseases aims to re-establish normal levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines, the pharmacological use of cytokines, which are very active molecules, is limited by the possible collateral effects. Therefore, our study aims to determine, in a murine model of allergic asthma, the possible therapeutic activity of low dose cytokines solutions, mechanically activated. We found that oral administration of low doses IL-12 plus IFN-γ is able to solve the bronchial hyperresponsiveness condition of mice, establishing normal cytokine levels. The anti-asthma activity was confirmed by histological analysis of lungs and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid cell count. Serum ovalbumin-specific IgE was also significantly inhibited by treatment with low dose activated cytokines solution. These findings may suggest a novel approach to diseases which involve a Th1/Th2 imbalance.
AB - Many inflammatory diseases are characterized by an imbalance among lymphocyte populations, in particular Th1, Th2 and the recently described Th17 cells. The Th1/Th2 imbalance is linked to many factors, but certainly the role of cytokines is essential. In Th2 diseases IL-4 expression is predominant, while Th1 pathologies are characterized by high expression of IFN-γ and IL-12. Though today the therapeutical proposal for many inflammatory diseases aims to re-establish normal levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines, the pharmacological use of cytokines, which are very active molecules, is limited by the possible collateral effects. Therefore, our study aims to determine, in a murine model of allergic asthma, the possible therapeutic activity of low dose cytokines solutions, mechanically activated. We found that oral administration of low doses IL-12 plus IFN-γ is able to solve the bronchial hyperresponsiveness condition of mice, establishing normal cytokine levels. The anti-asthma activity was confirmed by histological analysis of lungs and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid cell count. Serum ovalbumin-specific IgE was also significantly inhibited by treatment with low dose activated cytokines solution. These findings may suggest a novel approach to diseases which involve a Th1/Th2 imbalance.
KW - Allergy
KW - Cytokines
KW - IFN-γ
KW - IL-12
KW - Lung
KW - Mouse
KW - Th1/Th2 Cells
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=71249155233&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=71249155233&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.pupt.2009.05.002
DO - 10.1016/j.pupt.2009.05.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 19464382
AN - SCOPUS:71249155233
VL - 22
SP - 497
EP - 510
JO - Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
JF - Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
SN - 1094-5539
IS - 6
ER -