[The level of RORγt increases in rat lung tissues of bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus].

OBJECTIVE

To study the level of retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) in rat lung tissues of bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and its implication.

METHODS

The rats were randomly divided into normal group and bronchiolitis group. After the model of bronchiolitis was established successfully by nasal dripping, the pathological changes of lung tissues were detected by HE staining; the plasma levels of interleukin 23 (IL-23), IL-17 were detected by ELISA; the level of RORγt mRNA in lung tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR; the level of RORγt protein in lung tissues was examined by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal group, the rats with bronchiolitis presented with pulmonary interstitial hyperemia and edema, more inflammatory cell infiltration, wider alveolar septa and bronchial collapse and deformation. Compared with the normal group, the level of RORγt mRNA in the lung tissues and PBMCs increased in rats with bronchiolitis. The level of RORγt protein in lung tissues and the plasma levels of IL-23 and IL -17 were higher in rats with bronchiolitis than in normal rats.

CONCLUSION

The level of RORγt was elevated in the lung tissues of rats with RSV-induced bronchiolitis.