The Study of the Therapeutic Effects of CpG Oligonucleotides in Murine Model of Allergic Asthma

Abstract

Background and objectives Augmentation of Th 2 mediated responses such as elevation of serum IgE is the characteristic feature in atopy and asthma. CpG oligonucleotides (CpG ODN) have been used during the recent two decades as the potent immunomodulatory agents in allergic conditions. In this paper, we aim to report the anti-inflammatory effects of CPG ODN in murine model of asthma. Methods In this study, BALB/c mice were sensitized with ch.a. allergen and then treated intranasally with CpG ODN. Following the challenge with allergen inhalation, mice were sacrificed and their splenocytes were cultured in the presence of antigen. After three days of culture, supernatants were examined for IFN-γ levels by ELISA method, as an indication of Th 1 response, and the results were compared with those in control mice without CpG therapy. Results The results indicate that the mice in the test group, which received CpG ODN, showed higher levels of systemic INF-γ, and lower levels of serum IgE compared with either the antigen or CpG negative ODN-treated groups. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, which shows higher INF-γ levels in mice received CpG ODN, it can be concluded that CpG motifs have immune response modulation potential apparently through the deviation of Th 2 into Th 1 responses, which lead to a decrease in IgE antibody level. Accordingly, we suggest that these components can have therapeutic effects in the asthma caused by ch.a. allergen.