T helper 17 (Th17) cells play an important role in allergic
asthma, and the Notch
ligand Delta-like
ligand (Dll)4 has been reported to direct the differentiation of Th17 cells. In this study, experimental animals were divided into five groups (control group,
asthma group, physiological saline group, anti-Dll4 antibody group, and
immunoglobulin G group). The study aimed to explore the effect of anti-Dll4 antibody on the differentiation of Th17 cell in asthmatic mice.
Dll4 protein expressions were performed by immunohistochemical imaging. The proportion of Th17 cells in mouse spleen-isolated CD4+ T cells were measured by flow cytometry. The
protein expression of Th17
transcription factor retinoid-related
orphan nuclear receptor (RORγt) was detected by Western blotting.
Interleukin (IL)-17 levels in serum were measured by
enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The study found that the expression of Dll4 in lung tissue from the
asthma group significantly increased compared with the anti-Dll4 antibody group. The ratio of Th17 cells in CD4+ T cells was significantly downregulated, and the
protein expression of RORγt in spleen significantly reduced in the anti-Dll4 antibody group compared with the
asthma group. Moreover, the
IL-17 level in serum from the anti-Dll4 antibody group significantly reduced compared with the
asthma group. These results suggested that anti-Dll4 antibody could inhibit the differentiation of Th17 cells in asthmatic mice.