Sublingual immunotherapy by Nanogold in mice model of asthma

Objective(s): It has been shown that Nanogold particles have anti-inflammatory effects in different Rheumatologic, neurologic and gastrointestinal disease. They inhibit the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and also infiltration of inflammatory cells. Sublingual immunotherapy is a well-known effective, safe and clinically effective method way of immune response regulation which results in long-lasting symptoms reduction. This research was designed to find the immunological effects of sublingual immunotherapy using Nanogold in mice model of asthma. Materials and Methods: Twenty BALB/c mice were divided into four groups including one group of nonsensitized mice and three groups of asthmatic mice which were treated sublingually with PBS, Nanogold and Beclomethasone. IL-4 and IFN-γ levels were measured in serum and spleen cells supernatant using ELISA. BAL fluid inflammatory cells differential counting and lungs histological analysis were also done. Results: The results revealed that there was significant increase in level of IFN-γ and decrease in level of IL-4 in serum and spleen cells supernatant of Nanogold treated group (p 0.05). These findings indicates the shift of Th2/Th1 balance towards Th1 cells which is protective against asthma. In addition, histological and BAL fluid analysis demonstrated the reduction of cells and eosinophilic infiltration. Conclusion: Based on our results, sublingual immunotherapy by Nanogold has significant anti-inflammatory roll in asthmatic mice. Thus, Nanogold is a potentially valuable agent for controlling the underlying inflammation in asthma. However, further investigations is recommended to find more details about its effects.