Cyclosporine A inhibits airway reactivity and remodeling after chronic antigen challenge in cats

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1996 Dec;154(6 Pt 1):1812-8. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.154.6.8970375.

Abstract

We determined the effect of cyclosporine A (CSA) on airway reactivity and remodeling after chronic antigen challenge in Ascaris suum (AA)-sensitized cats. CSA efficacy was demonstrated by inhibition of interleukin-2 (IL-2) production from phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMN) cells. Twenty-four hours after the first AA exposure, cats not receiving cyclosporine (CsA-) demonstrated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to acetycholine (approximately 1.0 log increase in PD200 versus baseline; p < 0.01), and a 13-fold increase in eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (p < 0.01). AHR persisted (approximately 1.5 log increase in PD200 p < 0.001 versus baseline), and BALF eosinophilia was unchanged in CsA-cats 72 h after final AA challenge. The percent of normodense BALF eosinophils also decreased substantially in CsA-cats (p < 0.05). Necropsy specimens from CsA-cats demonstrated: (1) increased smooth-muscle thickness; (2) goblet cell and submucosal gland hypertrophy and hyperplasia; and (3) epithelial erosion with eosinophilic infiltration. There was no significant change in AHR, BALF, eosinophilia, or histology after chronic AA challenge in Csa-treated cats. These data suggest that CsA inhibits products of immune cells necessary for the development of AHR, airway inflammation, and airway wall remodeling caused by immune-sensitization in this model of atopic asthma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Helminth / administration & dosage
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology*
  • Ascaris suum / immunology*
  • Bronchi / pathology*
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / chemically induced
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / immunology
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / physiopathology*
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Cats
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacology*
  • Eosinophils / pathology
  • Female
  • Immunization
  • Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Male
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Interleukin-2
  • Cyclosporine
  • Acetylcholine