The role of transforming growth factor-β1 in airway vascular remodeling of asthmatic mice

Objective To appraise the role of transforming growth factor-pi (TGF-β1) in the airway vascular remodeling of asthmatic mice. Methods Forty mice were divided into 4 groups, chronic asthma group (AG), control group (CG), early treatment group (EG), late treatment group (LG). All the parameters related to asthmatic inflammation and remodeling, including thickness of airway vessel wall and the peripheral collagen deposition were measured and recorded. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the expression of TGF-β1 in the lung tissue. Results The collagen deposition around the airway vessels and the thickness of vascular wall, along with the other indices associated with airway inflammation and remodeling were increased significantly in AG than CG ( P 0. 01). All the parameters decreased significantly by early treatment with budesonide (P 0. 01); but no improvement was observed in the vascular remodeling with late treatment of budesonide. The expression of TGF-β1 in AG was elevated in comparison with CG, and declined dramatically by treatment of budesonide. There was a significant positive correlation between the TGF-β1 and the thickness of airway vessels (r = 0. 75, P 0.01), as well as TGF-β1 and the collagen deposition around the airway vessels(r = 0. 82, P 0. 01). Conclusions TGF-β1 is involved in asthmatic airway vascular remodeling, which can be alleviated by early treatment of glucocorticosteroid.