Dexamethasone Reduces IL-17 and Tim-3 Expression in BALF of Asthmatic Mice

Summary： This study investigated the expression of interleukin-17 （IL-17） and T cell immunoglobulin mucin and domain-containing molecule-3 （Tim-3） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） of asthmatic mice and the effect of dexamethasone （DEX） on these factors. Thirty-six mice were randomly divided into three groups： normal group, asthmatic group and DEX group. The mouse model of asthma was es- tablished by sensitization with ovalbumin in both the asthmatic and DEX groups. The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-β were measured in BALF by enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA expression level of Tim-3 was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The ratio of Tim-3＋CD4＋ cells to total CD4＋ cells in BALF was determined by flow cy- tometry. Differential inflammatory cells in BALF were detected. The correlations among IL-17, IL-6, IL-10, Tim-3 and inflammatory cells were analyzed. The results showed that the levels of IL-17, IL-6 and Tim-3 were substantially increased and the IL-10 level decreased in BALF in the asthmatic mice, which was significantly reversed by DEX treatment. IL-17 expression was positively correlated with IL-6 and Tim-3 expression and the number of inflammatory cells but negatively with IL-10 expression. These results indicate that the increased expression of IL-17 and Tim-3 in BALF may be implicated in the occurrence and development of asthmatic inflammation; the mechanism by which DEX suppresses asthmatic airway inflammation involves down-regulation of IL-17 and Tim-3 levels.