ROLE OF TOLL-LIKE RECEPTOR 4 IN AIRWAY INFLAMMATION OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES

Objective To confirm if pulmonary epithelial cells express Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） and investigate the role of TLR4 in airway inflammation of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases （COPD）. Methods The expressions of TLR4, IL-8 mRNA and NF-KB activation stimulated by differen factors E lipopolysacharides （LPS）, interleukin-lβ, cigarette smoking extract （CSE）] in pulmonary epithelial cells were investigated. Results LPS, CSE and IL-lβ induced the production of IL-8 and activation of NF-KB. The levels of 1L-8 mRNA and NF-KB protein in E1A ＋ cell were markedly higher than E1A- cell and A549 cell （ P 〈0. 05）. The TLR4 mRNA of all the cells increased along with the increase of LPS＇ stimulated time. There was significant difference among different LPS＇ doses （ 12 h： P = O. 039 ; 24 h ： P = O. 013 ）. The TLR4 mRNA of E1A ＋ cell was higher than the other two groups （ P 〈0. 05）. IL-lβ induced all the cells expressing TLR4 mRNA. CSE had no effect on the expression of TLR4 mRNA. Conclusion Pulmonary epithelial cells express TLR4. LPS and IL-lβ up-regulate IL-8 mediated via the activation of NF-KB induced by TLR4. But CSE up-regulates IL-8 mediated via the activation of NF-KB, which has no relation to TLR4 and may have another signal transduction pathway.

Effect of Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease measured by St. George's respiratory disease questionnaire scores and forced expiratory volume

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) by observing its influences on patients' quality of life and airway inflammation.METHODS: Seventy patients with stable COPD were randomly divided into a treatment group(n=35) treated with Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction plus Seretide and a control group(n=35) treated with Seretide only.The dosage of Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction was 100 mL each time, twice a day, and the dosage of Seretide was salmeterol 50 μg/fluticasone 250 μg twice a day. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. Before and after the treatment, St George's respiratory disease questionnaire(SGRQ)scores,forced expiratory volume,and forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity(FEV1/FVC)were measured.RESULTS:The SGRQ scores in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05). After treatment, the total SGRQ scores and each subscore in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05). The percentage of the predicted FEV1% and FEV1/FVC were higher in both groups, but no statistical differences were detected from before to after the treatment or between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction could significantly decrease the SGRQ scores in patients with stable COPD, which suggests that it is able to improve patient symptoms.

The multifaceted role of placental growth factor in the pathogenesis and progression of bronchial asthma and pulmonary fibrosis:Therapeutic implications

Placental growth factor(PlGF)is a glycosylated dimeric protein that is homologous to vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).PlGF expression is upregulated in patients with bronchial asthma,suggesting that it plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma.Bronchial asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness(AHR).After recurrent asthma attacks,pulmonary fibrosis develops and leads to airway remo-deling and a further decline in lung function.In this review,we focused on the pivotal role of PlGF in chronic airway inflammation,AHR,and airway remodeling during bronchial asthma.Furthermore,we summarized data showing that PlGF may be a potential therapeutic target in bronchial asthma.