Ovariectomy Modifies TH2, and TH17 Balance in BALB/C Allergic Mice.

Ovariectomy Modifies TH2, and TH17 Balance in BALB/C Allergic Mice. Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2017 Dec;16(6):525-536 Authors: Souza MPA, Lima FMDS, Muniz IP, Pereira ÍS, Sousa LRO, Galantini MPL, Santos DPD, Figueiredo TB, Silva RAAD Abstract Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways affecting over 300 million people worldwide. As in the autoimmune diseases, it is well described that women are the most affected by asthma. The higher number of women presenting this pathology suggests the involvement of female sex hormones in the construction of the allergic immune response. Female Balb / c mice were used for the experiments. Thirty-eight animals were separated into four groups: OVX-Ova; Sham-Ova; OVX-Sal; Sham-Sal. Then animals underwent acute allergic induction protocol by Ovalbulmin (OVA). Ovariectomized animals showed greater number of leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and elevated white blood cells recruitment to the lung environment observed by histological analysis. There was a significant increase of eosinophils and mast cells in inflammatory sites at pulmonary tissue. The relative uterine and body weight were lower in ovariectomized animals and higher in Sham mice, respectively. Moreover, the lack of the sex hormones induced an increase in interleukin (IL)-4 and titers of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibodies. However, increased production of IL-17A was only observed in Sham animals. Altogether, data this st...
Source: Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol Source Type: research