Heme oxygenase 1 delivery via adipose derived stem cells reduces airway inflammation in mice asthma model

Objectives: Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is an enzyme induced by stress with effects to protect cells, and recently reported to have an important role in anti-inflammation. To investigate whether HO-1 delivery via adipose tissuederived stem cells (ADSCs) can be over expressed in lung tissue and inhibit the asthma characteristic feature in asthmatic model of mice. We examined the expression of HO-1, infiltration of inflammatory cells, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and cytokine levels in BALF in asthmatic model of mice. Methods: HO-1 cDNA was prepared via RT-PCR method to produce lentiviral vector with HO-1 gene, HO-1 gene was transfected into cultured ADSCs using a lentiviral vector. Mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). 0.1 ml (2 × 106) ADSCs with HO-1 gene, ADSCs or saline was injected into tail vein of mice 24 h prior to challenge with 3% OVA for 7 days. Characteristic features of asthma were measured 24 h after the last challenge. Results: HO-1 can be over expressed in lung tissue. AHR was significantly decreased in ADSCs/HO-1 group compared with that in ADSCs and OVA group. Inflammatory cells in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were significantly decreased in ADSCs/ HO-1 group compared with ADSCs and OVA group. Cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 were decreased and IL-10, IFN-γ were increased in ADSCs/HO-1 group compared with ADSCs and OVA group. Conclusions: HO-1 delivery via ADSCs can be over expressed and exert its protective effect on asthma through a mechanism mediated by decreasing IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and increasing IL-10, IFN-γ.