[Expression of transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 and relationship to the numbers of eosinophils in rat model of allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the expression of T-bet/GATA-3 in nasal mucosa tissue of allergic rhinitis rat and to investigate the association between the expression of T-bet/GATA-3 and the eosinophil count.

METHOD

Twenty SD rats were randomly divided into a control group and an allergic rhinitis group. The allergic rhinitis rat model was induced with ovalbumin. The total eosinophils were counted in the nasal mucosa. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma in nasal lavage fluid were measured by ELISA. The mRNA and protein expressions of IL-4, IL-5, IFN-gamma, T-bet and GATA-3 in the nasal mucosa were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively.

RESULT

The main inflammatory cells were eosinophils in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis rats. The level of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma in control group was significantly higher than that in allergic rhinitis group (P < 0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of IFN-gamma and T-bet in allergic rhinitis group was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). While the mRNA and protein expression of IL-4, IL-5 and GATA-3 in control group was significantly higher than that in allergic rhinitis group (P < 0.01). The ratio of protein expression of T-bet and GATA-3 was negatively correlated with the eosinophil count, IL-4 and IL-5, but positively with the concentrations of IFN-gamma.

CONCLUSION

The imbalance of transcription factor GATA-3 and T-bet has a close correlation with the eosinophil count, and may play a key role in the formation of allergic rhinitis.