천식이 유발된 Balb/c마우스와 동일한 조건의 IL-10 KO 마우스에 천식의 원인으로 알려진 DEP와 지하철역내에서 채집한 PM (10 ${mu}g/m^3$)을 inhalation chamber,에 넣고 하루 4시간씩 흡입시킨 후 시료들을 채취하여 ICAM-1, VCAM-1의발현을 살펴 천식증상의 악화에 DEP와 PM이 어데한 영향을 미치는지 확인하였다. 본 실험의 결과 천식이 유발된 일반 Balb/c 마우스에 있어서는 DEP와 PM의 노출에 의하여 ICAM-1 및 VCAM-1의 발현이 세기관지 주위 조직들에서 미약하게 증가하였다. 그러나 IL-10 KO 마우스의 경우 DEP와 PM을 노출시켰을 때 ICAM-1 및 VCAM-1의 발현이 아주 강하게 증가하였다. 따라서, 본 결과는 IL-10에 대한 항체요법이 천식증상의 완화에 쓰일 수 있는 가능성을 암시하며, 한편 자동차 배기가스와 지하철 미세분진의 발생을 예방할 경우 천식과 관련한 세기관지의 염증을 완화시킬 수 있음을 간접적으로 증명한 것이라 할 수 있다.
This research investigated whether exposure of diesel exhaust particulate (DEP) and particulate metter (PM) effect on intercellular. adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in asthma-induced Balb/c and IL-10 knock out (KO) mouse. Mouse was sensitized with intraperitoneal injection with ovalbumin, followed by challenges with intranasal ovalbumin. After induction of asthma mouse placed in the inhalation chamber and exposed to DEP and PM (10 $mg/m^3$). The evidences of pulmonary inflammation were assessed by immunohistochemical stain and westen blot against ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the lung tissue. In the immunohistochemical stain, positive reactions for ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were much stronger in asthma-induced groups and asthma-induced group with DEP or PM than control groups. Although mild positive reactions were appeared in asthma-induced IL-10 KO mice groups, positive reactions were very strong in the asthma-induced group with DEP or PM. In Western blot, expression of VCAM-1 was increased in asthma-induced group with DEP or PM than asthma-induced groups. In the IL-10 KO mouse, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression were increased in asthma-induced group with DEP or PM than asthma-induced groups. DEP and PM exposure have additive effects on the aggravation of inflammatory signs in the asthma-induced murine model. These results suggest that inhalation of DEP and PM in asthmatic patients may aggravate clinical symptoms.
