Expression And Significance Of Th17/IL-23 In Rat Pulmonary Fibrosis Model

Objective: To study the expression of Th17and IL-23in the bleomycin-inducedpulmonary fibrosis model, and discuss the possible effection of them worked in pulmonaryfibrosis.Methods:1.72healthy SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (Ngroup), bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis model group (BLM group) and dexamethasonetreatment group (DM group). Both of BLM group and N group is24rats,DM group is24rats.2.The N group were injected with normal saline (0.2~0.3ml) by intratracheal at a time. The BLMgroup and DM group were injected with bleomycin(5mg/kg) disposable,to establish thepulmonary fibrosis model,The DM group were syringed with concentration3mg/kgdexamethasone into the abdominal cavity of the rat every day.3.Rats in N group and BLMgroup were killed eight on the7th,14th, and28th day. Rats in DM group were killed eight onthe7th,14th, and28th day.4. The levels of IL-23in bronchial lavage fluid and lung tissuewere measured. Hold the lung tissue and embed in paraffin to observe the lung tissuepathological section changes. Hydroxyproline content of lung tissue was determined. Flowcytometry was used to examine the number of CD4+IL-23+Th17cells in lung tissues.Results:1. In BLM group, biopsy revealed that lung tissue showed a dynamic changefrom alveolitis to fibrosis gradually.2. Hydroxyproline content in the BLM group were higherthan them in the N group and the DM group (P<0.05).3.The expression of Th17and IL-23inBLM group and DM group were significantly higher than N group, which showed a lowexpression at all time points (P <0.05).4. The expression trend of CD4+IL-23+Th17cells inlung tissue was same as IL-23, and all up to peak at the7th day.Conclusion:1. The high expression of Th17in BLM group suggests,Th17haveimportant effction on the formation of pulmonary fibrosis.2. IL-23plays an important role inthe occurrence and development of pulmonary fibrosis.