| Objective Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been clearly demonstrated to be the syncytial virus (RSV). However, there has been no vaccine and validated therapeutics available by far for this important virus. This study investigated the prophylactic effects of a Chinese traditional prescription, Yu-Ping-Feng, in mice from infection of hMPV. Methods Forty BALB / c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. All the mice except those in mock-infection group were inoculated intranasally with hMPV after being orally lavaged with various doses of Yu-Ping-Feng for 2 weeks. The animals were sacrificed on day 5 post inoculation. Left lungs were harvested for pulmonary histopathology and detection of hMPV infection by PCR. Right Lungs were used for viral isolation and titration by a modified plaque assay. Results The prophylactic use of high dose Yu-Ping-Feng dramatically reduced pulmonary histopathology(pathological score from 15.25±1.49 to 5.13±0.84,P<0.001). The pathological scores were well paralleled by viral titers in the lungs. High dose Yu-Ping-Feng was capable of reducing lung viral titer as much as 3 logs (2.33±0.98×105PFU/g vs 2.17±0.75×102PFU/g). Conclusion Yu-Ping-Feng appears to be potent inhibitor for hMPV replication in mouse lungs. Whether Yu-Ping-Feng has direct antivirus or immune regulatory effects, however, is unclear at this point. Objective To investigate the impact of Yu-Ping-Feng power on the airway responsiveness and inflammatory in an asthmatic mouse model infected by human metapneumovirus and the possible underlying mechanisms. Methods Forty-eight BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups. All the mice except control group were inoculated intranasally with hMPV after underwent ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge, then being orally lavaged with various doses of Yu-Ping-Feng for 1 week. Airway responsiveness to inhaled methamholine was measured and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed after the last challenge. Cells in BAL fluid(BALF) was counted and inflammatory characteristics of lungs was scored by staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Cytokines of lungs were detected by flow cytometry. Results (1) OVA+hMPV group and low dose group displayed the highest airway responsiveness, significant difference was found between OVA group and OVA+hMPV group(P<0.05). High dose group significantly reduced airway responsiveness, lower than OVA+hMPV group. (2) The numbers of total white cells and eosinophils in the BALF from OVA+hMPV group was significantly greater than control group, OVA group and high dose group (P<0.05);(3)Histological score of peribronchiolitis, alveolitis and perivasculitis in all OVA-sensitized/challenged groups were significantly higher than that in control. OVA group and high dose group had significantly milder peribronchiolitis and alveolitis than OVA+hMPV group. (4)There was no difference in IFN-γlever between control group and OVA group. IFN-γ, IFN-γ/IL-4 of each treatment group was significantly higher than that of OVA+hMPV group. IL-4 of All OVA-sensitized/challenged groups significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01), but no significantly difference among the groups. IL-17 of OVA+hMPV group was significantly higher than that of OVA group, media dose group and high dose group. Conclusion Yu-Ping-Feng can inhibit the airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation of hMPV infection in asthmatic mice, and improve the Th1/Th2 imbalance. |
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