Abstract ObjectiveTo study the effect of dexamethasone on airway morphology and on the expression of angiopoietin1 (Ang1) and its tyrosine kinase receptor Tie2 in the airway of asthmatic rats.MethodsFortyfive SpragueDawley rats were randomly divided into control, asthmatic, and dexamethasonetreated asthmatic groups. Asthma was induced by repeated sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin in the latter two groups. The dexamethasone intervention group received an intraperitonea injection of dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) before asthma challenge. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of Ang1 and Tie2 in the airway. Airway thickness was estimated by a computerized digital image analyzer. ResultsAirway thickness in the asthmatic group (33.9333±8.3791 μm2/μm) increased significantly compared with that in the control group (21.1333±2.7740 μm2/μm) (P<0.01). The dexamethasone intervention group also showed increased thickness of the airway (27.4000 ± 4.6105 μm2/μm) compared with the control group (P<0.01), but the airway thickness in the dexamethasone intervention group was significantly reduced compared with that in the untreated asthmatic group (P<0.01). The expression of Ang1 (103.9487±8.2914 vs 76.0320±3.7728; P<0.01) and Tie2 (99.2307±8.1913 vs 75.3153±3.7321; P<0.01) in the airway increased significantly in the asthmatic group compared to controls. The expression of Ang1 and Tie2 in the airway of the dexamethasone intervention group (90.6180±5.2339 and 86.6633±3.7321, respectively) was statistically higher than that in the control group (P<0.01) but statistically lower than that in the untreated asthmatic group (P<0.01). Ang1 and Tie2 expression in the airway was positively correlated with the thickness of airway (rAng1=0.719，rTie2=0.746，P<0.01). There was also a positive correlation between Ang1 and Tie2 expression (r=0.742，P<0.01). ConclusionsThe expression of Ang1 and Tie2 in the airway increased in asthmatic rats and was positively correlated with the thickness of the airway. Ang1 and Tie2 may participate in the process of airway remodeling in asthma. Dexamethasone can decrease the expression of Ang1 and Tie2 in the airway and relieve the changes of airway morphology.
QIAO Dun-Yang,LUAN Bin,HAN Su-Ge et al. Expression of angiopoietin-1 and its tyrosine kinase receptor Tie-2 in the airway of asthmatic rats[J]. 中国当代儿科杂志, 2008, 10(5): 642-646.
QIAO Dun-Yang,LUAN Bin,HAN Su-Ge et al. Expression of angiopoietin-1 and its tyrosine kinase receptor Tie-2 in the airway of asthmatic rats[J]. CJCP, 2008, 10(5): 642-646.
