Author/Authors :
Qian, Jun Department of Pediatrics - Wuxi Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China , Xu, Yaqin Department of Pediatrics - Wuxi Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China , Yu, Zhiwei Department of Pediatrics - Wuxi Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
Abstract :
Background and Objective. While calcitriol can inhibit airway remodeling in asthmatic mice, the mechanism remains unclear. The
purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of action of calcitriol on airway remodeling in asthma and its interaction with
budesonide. Methods. A mouse model of asthma was established by allergic sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin. The mice
were treated with budesonide, calcitriol, or budesonide plus calcitriol. The expression of airway remodeling-related proteins,
transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathway-related proteins, the glucocorticoid receptor, and vitamin D receptor
(VDR) was determined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to
determine the expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in the lung tissue of mice. Results. Monotherapy with budesonide or calcitriol
inhibited the high expression of collagen type I protein and upregulated the low expression of Smad7 in asthmatic mice. -ere was
a synergistic interaction between budesonide and calcitriol in combined treatment. The expression of miR-21 in the combined
treatment group was significantly lower than that in the calcitriol treatment group. VDR expression in the combined treatment
group was significantly higher than that of the calcitriol treatment group. Conclusion. Budesonide and calcitriol have a synergistic
effect on airway remodeling in asthmatic mice.
