Premium
Depletion of CD8 + T cells enhances airway remodelling in a rodent model of asthma
Author(s) -
Tsuchiya Kimitake,
Isogai Susumu,
Tamaoka Meiyo,
Inase Naohiko,
Akashi Takumi,
Martin James G.,
Yoshizawa Yasuyuki
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2008.02876.x
Subject(s) - ovalbumin , bronchoalveolar lavage , airway , cd8 , immunology , inflammation , bronchoconstriction , medicine , lung , asthma , antigen , biology , anesthesia
Summary Airway remodelling is induced by persistent airway inflammation and may lead to severe asthma. T cells play a pivotal role in asthmatic airway inflammation but their role in remodelling is poorly understood. Although previous studies have revealed that CD8 + T cells inhibit the late airway response and airway inflammation in a rat model of asthma, their effects on airway remodelling have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to examine the role of CD8 + T cells in airway remodelling. Brown Norway rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) on day 0. CD8 + T cells in rats were depleted during the repeated challenges by treating them with a CD8α monoclonal antibody (OX‐8). Control rats were treated with mouse ascites. Sensitized rats were challenged with OVA on days 14, 19 and 24 or were sham challenged with phosphate‐buffered saline. On day 29, bronchoalveolar lavage and lung tissues were harvested. Repeated OVA inhalations evoked significant increases in the numbers of periodic acid–Schiff‐positive epithelial cells and proliferating cell nuclear antigen‐positive epithelial cells, and in airway smooth muscle mass compared to the control group. CD8‐depleted rats had significant enhancement of these changes, principally affecting the large airways. These results suggest that endogenous CD8 + T cells have inhibitory effects on airway remodelling in this model of asthma.