The Effects Of Erythromycin On T Regulation Cells In Balf Of Smoke Exposure Rats

Objective:To study the expression of T regulatory cells(Tregs) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) of smoke esposure rats and to evaluate the effects of Erythromycin(EM) on Treg in smoke esposure rats.Methods:40 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group(group A, n =10), normal saline solution group(P group, n=10), 12-week smoking group(group B, n=10), EM-treatment group (C group). Group B,and groupC was exposured to cigarettes for 12 week, groupC were administrated with EM for 9 weeks. At 12 week, all groups were sacrificed, total and differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) was observed. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of IFN-γ,IL-4, IL-8,TNF-α.Using flow cytometry to determine CD4+Foxp3+Treg cell populations and reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) to assay mRNA expression for Foxp3.Results:(1)Compared to group A and group C, the levels of total and differential cell counts, IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-8 in group B were increased(P<0.05), and the levels of IL-4 was decreased. (3)The ratio of CD4+Foxp3+Treg cell in BALF was higher in group B Compared to group A and group C(P<0.01).(4) There were increased in the expression of Foxp3 mRNA in group B Compared to group A and group C(P<0.01).Conclusions: (1)airway inflammation induced by Th1/Tc1 in smoke esposured rats and the expression of Treg cells was increased in BALF,Treg cells probably could inhibit airway inflammation.(2) EM-treatment inhibits airway inflammation induced by Th1/Tc1 in smoke-esposured rats and the expression of Treg cells was decreased in BALF.