Changes Of Th1 And Th17 In Mice With Cigarette Smoke-Induced Emphysema And Effect Of Aminophylline On The Changes

Objective To evaluate the changes of Thl and Th17 in the lungs of cigarette smoke-induced mice model of emphysema and after aminophylline intervention. To investigate the role of Thl and Thl7 in cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation and emphysema of mice, and effects of aminophylline on changes of Th1 and Th17 and its mechanism.Methods 30 male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, model group and aminophylline group,10 mice each group. The model group and aminophylline group were exposed to cigarette smoke, while the control group were exposed to air, and exposure time of each group was 28 weeks. The aminophylline group was intraperitoneal injected by aminophylline from 25 week, while control group and model group was injected by NS. The pathomorphology results of airway and lung tissue were evaluated by HE staining, and morphological changes were evaluated by mean linear intercepts (MLI) and destructive index(DI). The levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lungs were determined by emzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of T-bet and RORyt mRNA were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).Results (1) Compared with control group, inflammation and destruction of the airway and lung tissues in model group and aminophylline group were more serious, especially model group. However, inflammation and emphysema were eased in aminophylline group than that in model group. (2)The MLI and DI in model group and aminophylline group were higher than that in control group. Compared with control group, the MLI and DI in aminophylline group showed a higher value, but still lower than that in model group. (3)The IFN-y and IL-17 levels in BALF of model group and aminophylline group [(481.66± 92.38), (377.6±59.05)] and [(866.55±166.72), (578.61±227.99)] were higher than those in control group [(292.06±90.9), (312.08±117.19)]. Moreover, the IFN-y and IL-17 levels in lungs of model group and aminophylline group [(1277.3±71.66), (1003.1±129.33)]and[(1271.04 ±63.48), (1110.89±55.06)] were also higher than those in control group [(631.22±265.77), (855.88±62.33)], all P< 0.05. (4) Compared with control group, the IFN-y and IL-17 levels in BALF of aminophylline group showed a higher value, but still lower than those in model group. Meanwhile, the IFN-y and IL-17 levels in lungs of aminophylline group were also higher than those in control group, but still lower than those in model group, all P< 0.05. (5) In lungs, the expressions of T-bet and RORyt mRNA in model group and aminophylline group [(1.89±0.22), (1.39±0.30)] and [(2.14±0.12), (1.65 ±0.10)] were higher than those in control group [(0.91±0.11), (1.06± 0.07)], all P< 0.05. (6) The expressions of T-bet and RORyt mRNA of lungs in aminophylline group were higher than those in control group, but still lower than those in model group, all P< 0.05.Conclusion (1) Thl and Th17 were up-regulated in lungs of mice with cigarette smoke-induced emphysema, suggesting that Thl and Th17 may be involved in the pulmonary inflammation and emphysema of mice. (2) While reducing the inflammation of airway and lungs in mice with cigarette smoke-induced emphysema, aminophylline could also reverse the increasing levels of Thl and Th17 which induced by cigarette smoke exposure, suggesting that aminophylline may exert anti-inflammatory effects in mice with cigarette smoke-induced emphysema by inhibiting the up-regulated of Th1 and Th17.