Beneficial effects of Galectin-9 on allergen-specific sublingual immunotherapy in a mite antigen-induced mouse model of chronic asthma

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26461205
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Respiratory organ internal medicine
• Research Institution: Kawasaki Medical School
• Principal Investigator: Katoh Shigeki 川崎医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (10295206)
• Research Collaborator: IKEDA Masaki 川崎医科大学, 医学部, 大学院生
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 気管支喘息 / 抗原特異的舌下免疫療法 / ガレクチン－９ / マウス慢性喘息モデル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Allergen-specific sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a disease-modifying treatment for allergic asthma. Galectin-9 (Gal-9) acts as an immunomodulator in excessive immunologic reactions by expanding regulatory T cells (Treg) and enhancing transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling. We investigated the efficacy of sublingually administered Gal-9 to a specific allergen in a mite allergen-induced mouse model of chronic asthma. SLIT in the presence of Gal-9 significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR); early asthmatic response (EAR); number of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); and serum IgE levels. BALF TGF-β levels were significantly increased in the presence of Gal-9. Treg depletion blocked the inhibitory effects of Gal-9 on the EAR, AHR, eosinophilic airway inflammation, and serum IgE levels, and suppressed BALF TGF-β levels. Gal-9 exhibited beneficial effects of SLIT in a mite allergen-induced mouse model of chronic asthma.

Free Research Field

呼吸器内科学