Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin and Unfractionated

Background: We evaluated the effects of T helper cell differentiation in a mite-allergic animal model treated with inhaled heparins of different molecular weight. Method: BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: 1. Control, 2. Mite intratracheal (mIT), 3. Inhaled heparin (hIN), 4. Inhaled low-molecular-weight heparin (lmwhIN). Groups 2, 3, and 4 were sensitized twice with Der p allergen subcutaneously on day 1 and day 8. Der p allergen was administered intratracheally on day 15. Groups 3 and 4 were treated with heparin or low-molecular-weight (lmw) heparin intranasally from day 1 to 22. Splenocytes from sacrificed mice stimulated with 16 mg/ml of Der p were cultured for 72 hours. Supernatants of splenocyte were collected to analyze the effect of Interleukin (IL)17-A/F, Interferon(IFN)-c, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-10. Serum was also collected for Der P-specific IgE level on day 23. Total RNA was extracted from spleen tissue for mRNA expression. Gene expression of Foxp3, IL-10 IFN-c, GATA3, IL-5, and RORct were analyzed. Results: Both hIN and lmwhIN groups had lower serum IgE level than that of the mIT group (both p,0.0001). Both hIN and lmwhIN groups showed significantly decreased transcripts of GATA-3, IFN-c, IL-5, and RORct mRNA in their spleen. Regarding the supernatant of splenocyte culture stimulated with Der p, compared with the mIT group, there were significant decreases in IL-17A/F, IFN-c, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-10 secretion in inhaled hIN and lmwhIN groups