Objective: To observe the expressions of IL-21 and its receptor (IL-21R) in the lungs of chronic asthmatic mice, and investigate the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on their expressions.
Methods: Thirty-three specific pathogen free (SPF) BALB/c female mice were randomly divided into control group, asthmatic group and Dex treated group, 11 mice each group. The asthma model mice were induced by ovalbumin (OVA) with the classic method. The airway inflammation was evaluated by HE staining. The thicknesses of bronchial wall (Wat/Pbm) and airway smooth muscle (Wam/Pbm) were measured. The expressions of IL-21 and IL-21R proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.
Results: Compared with the control group, the Wat/Pbm and Wam/Pbm in the asthmatic group significantly increased (P<0.01). The indexes in the Dex group were significantly reduced as compared with those in the asthmatic group (P<0.01). The expressions of IL-21 and IL-21R proteins in the asthmatic group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), but they were lower in the Dex group than in the asthmatic group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The enhanced expressions of IL-21 and IL-21R in the asthmatic mice are found, and Dex can inhibit the expressions of IL-21 and IL-21R in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice.