Effects of sodium cromoglycate on cytokine production following antigen stimulation of a passively sensitized human lung model.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) play key roles in bronchial asthma. Sodium cromoglycate (DSCG) and dexamethasone (Dex) are used in the treatment of asthma as anti-inflammatory agents.

OBJECTIVE:

We investigated whether DSCG inhibited the expression of IL-5 and TNF-alpha mRNA and proteins from isolated human lungs, and compared these findings with those of Dex.

METHODS:

Human lung specimens were passively sensitized with sera from atopic patients, then preincubated in the presence of DSCG (10(-3), 10(-4), 10(-5) M) or Dex (10(-6) M) for 2 hours. The specimens were stimulated with Dermatophagoides antigen, then cultured for 48 hours. The supernatant was collected 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours to measure IL-5 and TNF-alpha by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. mRNA expression was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS:

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha protein reached a peak level at 4 hours (156.57 +/- 18.29 pg/mL). Dex decreased TNF-alpha protein to 31.86 +/- 4.67 pg/mL (P < .001). There was also a decrease of TNF-alpha protein to 107.43 +/- 14.25 pg/mL by 10(-4) MD SCG (P < .001). Antigenic stimulation also increased the release of IL-5 protein at 4 hours and the peak level was observed at 24 hours (150.29 +/- 19.12 pg/mL). Dex decreased IL-5 protein to 28.57 +/- 5.27 pg/mL (P < .0001), 10(-4) M DSCG also decreased to 111.57 +/- 15.28 pg/mL (P < .05). RT-PCR analysis showed persistence of IL-5 and TNF-alpha mRNA expression from 1 to 24 hour after antigen stimulation. Dex but not DSCG inhibited IL-5 and TNF-alpha mRNA levels.

CONCLUSION:

Our results showed that DSCG significantly inhibited IL-5 and TNF-alpha production by human lung specimens, suggesting that it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

• Authors: N Matsuo, T Shimoda, H Matsuse, Y Obase, S Asai, S Kohno
• Journal: Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol) Vol. 84 Issue 1 Pg. 72-8 (Jan 2000) ISSN: 1081-1206 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10674568 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Asthmatic Agents
• Interleukin-5
• RNA, Messenger
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Dexamethasone
• Cromolyn Sodium

Topics

• Aged
• Anti-Asthmatic Agents (pharmacology)
• Cromolyn Sodium (pharmacology)
• Dexamethasone (pharmacology)
• Female
• Histamine Release (drug effects)
• Humans
• Immunization, Passive
• Interleukin-5 (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Lung (immunology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (biosynthesis, genetics)