Abstract

A mouse pulmonary hypersensitivity experimental model that mimics human asthma was developed, and electroacupuncture (EA) treatment was shown to reduce allergic inflammatory processes. In addition, we also assessed whether the beneficial effects of EA on allergic asthma could be correlated with CD4 ⁺CD25 ⁺Foxp3 ⁺ regulatory T cells (Treg). Cellular profiles and histopathologic analysis demonstrated that peribronchial and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltrates were significantly decreased in the EA-treated groups when compared to the OVA and anti-CD25 Ab-injected (Treg depletion) groups. Furthermore, total BAL cells were reduced in the EA groups when compared to other groups. Interestingly, the population of CD4 ⁺CD25 ⁺Foxp3 ⁺Tregs in pneumonocytes increased in EA-treated group when compared to OVA and Treg depletion groups. These results imply that EA stimulation at ST 36 may affect CD4 ⁺CD25 ⁺Foxp3 ⁺ Treg in an OVA-induced experimental model and may enhance Treg function by suppressing other T cells and limiting the immune response. Copyright © 2012 Youngjoo Kwon et al.

Indexed keywords

EMTREE drug terms: immunoglobulin E; ovalbumin; transcription factor FOXP3

EMTREE medical terms: acupuncture; allergic asthma; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; article; CD25+ T lymphocyte; CD4+ T lymphocyte; cell infiltration; cell population; controlled study; correlation analysis; cytokine release; electroacupucture; eosinophil; female; histopathology; immune response; lung alveolus cell; lung lavage; mouse; nonhuman; priority journal; regulatory T lymphocyte; T cell depletion; Th2 cell

Chemicals and CAS Registry Numbers: immunoglobulin E, 37341-29-0; ovalbumin, 77466-29-6