The Role of Interleukin (IL)-4 Expression in Apoptosis Bronchiolus Epithelial in Asthmatic Mice

Chronic inflammation in asthma is one of the factors that influence the severity, exacerbation, and airway remodeling marked increase in bronchial epithelial apoptosis. Interleukin (IL) -4 is a cytokine which is a marker of Th2 type of inflammatory process. The purpose of this study was to prove the relationship between IL-4 expression and apoptosis in bronchial epithelium of asthmatic mice. The study was conducted with a randomized control group design using 18 mice strain Balb / c are divided into groups and control asthma). Disensitisasi asthma group with ovalbumin intraperitoneally on day 0 and 14, followed by inhalation every 2-3 days for 6 weeks. IL-4 expression in bronchial examined by immunohistochemical methods, whereas bronchial epithelial apoptosis by TUNEL method. Statistical analysis using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and linear regression with 95% confidence interval. The number of bronchial epithelial apoptosis and expression of IL-4 increased significantly in the asthma group (p=0.000). There is a strong positive correlation (r=0.78; r2=0.56, p=0.012, y=4.28+0.58x) between IL-4 and apoptosis in bronchial epithelium. Increased expression of IL-4 influence the increase in bronchial epithelial apoptosis, but not the only variable that affects the bronchial epithelium increased apoptosis.