Kv1.3 channel current changes in neutrophilic asthma and eosinophilic asthma

Objective Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways.T lymphocytes play important roles in the pathogenesis of asthma.The voltage-gated Kv1.3 potassium channel may be a key factor in the activation of T lymphocytes.This research aims to detect the function of Kv1.3 channel in the neutrophlial asthma(NA)model and eosinophilic asthma(EA)model. Methods A total of 24 mice were randomly assigned into three groups: control, neutrophilic asthma model and eosinophilic asthma group.Neutrophilic asthma model was established with ovalbumin(OVA)and lipopolysaccharide(LPS); eosinophilic asthma was established with OVA and Al(OH)3; airway responsiveness of mice in each group was measured with a noninvasive pulmonary function instrument; lung inflammation changes were observed by pathological HE staining; IL-17A and IL-4 cytokines levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were evaluated by ELISA; Kv1.3 channel protein level in lung was evaluated by western blot; the change of current density in CD4+ .T lymphocytes were tested by whole-cell patch clamp technique. Results Levels of IL-17A and IL-4 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid increased in both NA and EA model(P<0.05). Compare with EA model, the IL-17A level was significantly higer in NA model, while the IL-4 level was significantly lower.In NA and EA model, kv1.3 protein expression in lung tissue was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05), and kv1.3 protein expression in NA model was significantly higer than that in the EA model(P<0.05). Current intensity and current density of kv1.3 channel increased in both NA and EA model.While the current intensity and current density of kv1.3 channel were significantly higher in NA model than that in EA model. Conclusion Kv1.3 protein level, Kv1.3 channel current intensity and kv1.3 channel current density increased in both NA and EA model, especially in NA group, providing a new way for treatment of bronchial asthma. Key words: Neutrophlial asthma; Eosinophilic Asthma; Kv1.3 channel