Investigation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells phagocytosis in allergic asthma mice model

Background: The respiratory system is exposed to the potentially harmful environment agents. More importantly, respiratory system infection is an important risk factor for inflammation and some pathogens can be main responsible of asthma. Phagocytosis is a main mechanism to eliminate of microbial infection. Phagocytic clearance may control asthma pathogenesis. In asthma, cytokines balance may be changed, therefore we investigated possible change in phagocytes in the present study. Materials and Methods: 14 male Balb/c mice were divided into two control and asthmatic group. Asthma model in mice was produced by ovalbumin. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated and reduction nitro blue tetrazolium and latex bead florescence phagocytosis tests were done. Results: There was no significant difference in phagocytosis and NBT reduction test between asthmatic and control groups (P≤0.05).Airway inflammation and unbalancing of cytokines in asthma might modulate phagocytosis function. Conclusion: Therefore, asthmatic patient might be more susceptible to airway infection but there was not any notable changes in phagocytosis.