Abstract: AIM: To approach the effect of specific immunotherapy on IL-10 and CD₄⁺CD₂₅⁺ regulatory T cells(CD₄⁺CD₂₅⁺ Tr) in asthmatic rats.METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group,asthma group,control of specific immunotherapy group and specific immunotherapy group, with 10 rats in each group.The model of asthma was established by the ovalbumin (OVA) challenge methods and specific immunotherapy group received specific immunotherapy by repeated inhaling different doses of OVA. The concentrations of IL-10 in BALF and serum were detected by ELISA. The percentage of CD₄⁺CD₂₅⁺ Tr in peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry(FCM).RESULTS: The concentration of IL-10 in BALF and serum of control group were higher than that of asthma group and control of specific immunotherapy group, respectively(P<0.01). The concentration of IL-10 in BALF and serum of specific immunotherapy group were higher than that of asthma group and control of specific immunotherapy group(P<0.01,P<0.05). The percentage of CD₄⁺CD₂₅⁺ Tr in peripheral blood of control group was higher than that of asthma group, control of specific immunotherapy group and specific immunotherapy group(P<0.01). The percentage of CD₄⁺CD₂₅⁺ Tr in peripheral blood of specific immunotherapy group was higher than that of asthma group and control of specific immunotherapy group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Specific immunotherapy can up-regulate the expressions of IL-10 and CD₄⁺CD₂₅⁺ Tr in asthmatic rats.

Key words: Asthma, Specific immunotherapy, IL-10, CD₄⁺CD₂₅⁺ regulatory T cell