Growth-regulating factors （GRFs） are plant-specific transcription factors that were originally identified for their roles in stem and leaf development, but recent studies highlight them to be similarly important for...Growth-regulating factors （GRFs） are plant-specific transcription factors that were originally identified for their roles in stem and leaf development, but recent studies highlight them to be similarly important for other central developmental processes including flower and seed formation, root development, and the coordination of growth processes under adverse environmental conditions. The expression of several GRFs is controlled by microRNA miR396, and the GRF-miRNA396 regulatory module appears to be central to several of these processes. In addition, transcription factors upstream of GRFs and miR396 have been discovered, and gradually downstream target genes of GRFs are being unraveled. Here, we review the current knowledge of the biological functions performed by GRFs and survey available molecular data to illustrate how they exert their roles at the cellular level.展开更多
Osteoporosis,a global age-related health problem in both male and female elderly,insidiously deteriorates the microstructure of bone,particularly at trabecular sites,such as vertebrae,ribs and hips,culminating in frag...Osteoporosis,a global age-related health problem in both male and female elderly,insidiously deteriorates the microstructure of bone,particularly at trabecular sites,such as vertebrae,ribs and hips,culminating in fragility fractures,pain and disability.Although osteoporosis is normally associated with senescence and estrogen deficiency,diabetes mellitus(DM),especially type 1 DM,also contributes to and/or aggravates bone loss in osteoporotic patients.This topic highlight article focuses on DM-induced osteoporosis and DM/ osteoporosis comorbidity,covering alterations in bone metabolism as well as factors regulating bone growth under diabetic conditions including,insulin,insulin-like growth factor-1 and angiogenesis.Cellular and molecular mechanisms of DM-related bone loss are also discussed.This information provides a foundation for the better understanding of diabetic complications and for development of early screening and prevention of osteoporosis in diabetic patients.展开更多
Abscisic acid （ABA） regulates diverse plant processes, growth and development under non-stress conditions and plays a pivotal role in abiotic stress tolerance. Although ABA-regulated genetic processes are well known...Abscisic acid （ABA） regulates diverse plant processes, growth and development under non-stress conditions and plays a pivotal role in abiotic stress tolerance. Although ABA-regulated genetic processes are well known, recent discoveries reveal that epigenetic processes are an integral part of ABA-regulated processes. Epigenetic mechanisms, namely, histone modifications and cytosine DNA methylation-induced modification of genome give rise to epigenomes, which add diversity and complexity to the genome of organisms. Histone monoubiquitination appears to regulate ABA levels in developing seeds through histone H2B monoubiquitination. ABA and H2B ubiquitination dependent chromatin remodeling regulate seed dormancy. Transcription factor networks necessary for seed maturation are repressed by histone deacetylases （HDACs）-dependent and PICKLE chromatin remodeling complexes （CRCs）, whereas ABA induces the expression of these genes directly or through repression of HDACs. Abiotic stress-induced ABA regulates stomatal response and stress- responsive gene expression through HDACs and HOS15-dependent histone deacetylation, as well as through the ATP- dependent SWITCH/SUCROSE NONFERMENTING CRC. ABA also probably regulates the abiotic stress response through DNA methylation and short interfering RNA pathways. Further studies on ABA-regulated epigenome will be of immense use to understand the plant development, stress adaptation and stress memory.展开更多
Background Chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) was recently identified as a novel cytokine The full-length CKLF1 cDNA contains 530 bp encoding 99 amino acid residues with a CC motif similar to that of other CC family c...Background Chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) was recently identified as a novel cytokine The full-length CKLF1 cDNA contains 530 bp encoding 99 amino acid residues with a CC motif similar to that of other CC family chemokines Recombinant CKLF1 exhibits chemotactic activity on leucocytes and stimulates proliferation of murine skeletal muscle cells We questioned whether CKLF1 could be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammation and proliferation in the lung Therefore we used efficient in vivo gene delivery method to investigate the biological effect of CKLF1 in the murine lung Methods CKLF1-expressing plasmid, pCDI-CKLF1, was constructed and injected into the skeletal muscles followed by electroporation Lung tissues were obtained at the end of week 1,2,3 and 4 respectively after injection The pathological changes in the lungs were observed by light microscope Results A single intramuscular injection of CKLF1 plasmid DNA into BALB/c mice caused dramatic pathological changes in the lungs of treated mice These changes included peribronchial leukocyte infiltration, epithelial shedding, collagen deposition, proliferation of bronchial smooth muscle cells and fibrosis of the lung Conclusions The sustained morphological abnormalities of the bronchial and bronchiolar wall, the acute pneumonitis and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis induced by CKLF1 were similar to phenomena observed in chronic persistent asthma, acute respiratory distress syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome These data suggest that CKLF1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of these important diseases and the study also implies that gene electro-transfer in vivo could serve as a valuable approach for evaluating the function of a novel gene in animals展开更多
After myocardial infarction(MI), the heart undergoes extensive myocardial remodeling through the accumulation of fibrous tissue in both the infarcted and noninfarcted myocardium, which distorts tissue structure, incre...After myocardial infarction(MI), the heart undergoes extensive myocardial remodeling through the accumulation of fibrous tissue in both the infarcted and noninfarcted myocardium, which distorts tissue structure, increases tissue stiffness, and accounts for ventricular dysfunction. There is growing clinical consensus that exercise training may beneficially alter the course of post-MI myocardial remodeling and improve cardiac function. This review summarizes the present state of knowledge regarding the effect of post-MI exercise training on infarcted hearts. Due to the degree of difficulty to study a viable human heart at both protein and molecular levels, most of the detailed studies have been performed by using animal models. Although there are some negative reports indicating that post-MI exercise may further cause deterioration of the wounded hearts, a growing body of research from both human and animal experiments demonstrates that post-MI exercise may beneficially alter the course of wound healing and improve cardiac function. Furthermore, the improved function is likely due to exercise training-induced mitigation of reninangiotensin-aldosterone system, improved balance between matrix metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, favorable myosin heavy chain isoform switch, diminished oxidative stress, enhanced antioxidant capacity, improved mitochondrial calcium handling, and boosted myocardial angiogenesis. Additionally, meta-analyses revealed that exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation has proven to be effective, and remains one of the least expensive therapies for both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and prevents re-infarction.展开更多
Osteoclasts, the bone-resorbing cells, play a pivotal role in skeletal development and adult bone remodeling. They also participate in the pathogenesis of various bone disorders. Osteoclasts differentiate from cells o...Osteoclasts, the bone-resorbing cells, play a pivotal role in skeletal development and adult bone remodeling. They also participate in the pathogenesis of various bone disorders. Osteoclasts differentiate from cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage upon stimulation of two essential factors, the monocyte/ macrophage colony stimulating factor （M-CSF） and receptor activation of NF-κB ligand （RANKL）. M-CSF binds to its receptor c-Fms to activate distinct signaling pathways to stimulate the proliferation and survival of osteoclast precursors and the mature cell. RANKL, however, is the primary osteoclast differentiation factor, and promotes osteoclast differentiation mainly through controlling gene expression by activating its receptor, RANK. Osteoclast function depends on polarization of the cell, induced by integrin avβ3, to form the resorptive machinery characterized by the attachment to the bone matrix and the formation of the bone-apposed ruffled border. Recent studies have provided new insights into the mechanism of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. In particular, c-Fms and RANK signaling have been shown to regulate bone resorption by cross-talking with those activated by integrin avβ3. This review discusses new advances in the understanding of the mechanisms of osteoclast differentiation and function.展开更多
Background Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has been demonstrated to be associated with both congestive heart failure （CHF） and atrial fibrillation （AF）. This study investigated the effects of spironolactone, ...Background Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has been demonstrated to be associated with both congestive heart failure （CHF） and atrial fibrillation （AF）. This study investigated the effects of spironolactone, a kind of aldosterone antagonist, on atrial electrical remodeling and fibrosis in CHF dogs induced by chronic rapid ventricular pacing. Methods Twenty one dogs were randomly divided into sham-operated group, control group, and spironolactone group. In control group and spironolactone group, dogs were ventricular paced at 220 beats per minute for 6 weeks. Additionally, spironolactone at 15 mg.kgl.d1 was given to dogs 1 week before rapid ventricular pacing until pacing stopped. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiographic examinations were performed to detect structural and functional changes of the atrium. Swan2 Ganz floating catheters were used to measure hemadynamics variances. Atrial effective refractory period （AERP）, AERP dispersion （AERPd） conduction velocity （CV） were determined. The inducib atrial fibrosis was quantified with Masson staining. intra- and inter-atrium conduction time （CT） and intra-atrium ity and duration of AF were also measured in all groups. Finally, Results AERP did not change significantly after dogs were ventricular paced for 6 weeks. However, AERPd, intra- and inter-atrium CT increased significantly, and CV decreased apparently, which was negatively correlated to the atrial fibrosis （r=-0.74, P〈0.05）. Simultaneously, left atriums were enlarged and cardiac hemadynamics worsened in pacing dogs. Although spironolactone could not affect cardiac hemadynamics effectively, it can obviously improve left atrial ejection fraction （P〈0.05）. Spironolactone treatment did not alter AERP duration, but this medicine dramatically decreased AERPd （P〈0.05）, shortened intra- and inter-atrium conduction time （P〈0.05）, and increased atrium CV. Moreover, spironolactone decreased the inducibility and duration of AF （P〈0.05）, as well as at展开更多
Objective: To investigate the structural changes of aorta, and evaluate the effects of atorvastatinon the remodeling of thoracic aorta in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) . Methods : Twelve eight-week-old SHR were...Objective: To investigate the structural changes of aorta, and evaluate the effects of atorvastatinon the remodeling of thoracic aorta in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) . Methods : Twelve eight-week-old SHR were randomized into atorvastatin treated group( ATV group, n = 6) and distilled water group( DW group, n = 6) ; Wistar-Kyoto rats(WKY) were used as normal controls. Atorvastatin was administered to ATV group for 10 weeks by gavage in mixture with distilled water( 1ml) ; the latter two groups were given the same amount of distilled water by gavage for 10 weeks. Systolic blood pressure of caudal artery was examined before and after treatment, and serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-C were measured.Wall thickness, media thickness, medial cross-sectional area and lumen diameter of thoracic aorta were assessed with computed video processing. Results: Systolic blood pressure in ATV group was markedly lower than that in DW group( P < 0.01). Compared with DW group and WKY group, serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-C in ATV group were significantly lower( P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Wall thickness, media thickness, and medial cross-sectional area to lumen ratio in DW group were significantly higher than those in WKY group and ATV group( P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but no such difference was found between WKY group and ATV group( P > 0.05 ). Conclusion : Vascular structural changes of aorta are due to the alteration of the vessel wall in early stage of SHR. Atorvastatin can markedly improve vascular remodeling.展开更多
Background Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by reversible bronchial constriction, pulmonary inflammation and airway remodeling. Current standard therapies for asthma provide symptomatic control, ...Background Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by reversible bronchial constriction, pulmonary inflammation and airway remodeling. Current standard therapies for asthma provide symptomatic control, but fail to target the underlying disease pathology. Furthermore, no therapeutic agent is effective in preventing airway remodeling. A substantial amount of evidence suggests that statins have anti-inflammatory properties and immunomodulatory activity. In this study, we investigated the effect of rosuvastatin on airway inflammation and its inhibitory mechanism in mucus hypersecretion in a murine model of chronic asthma. Methods BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin to induce asthma. The recruitment of inflammatory cells into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） and the lung tissues were measured by Diff-Quik staining and hematoxylin and eosin （H＆E） staining. ELISA was used for measuring the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-a in BALE Periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining was used for mucus secretion. Gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor （GABAAR） β2 expression was measured by means of immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and Western blotting. Results Rosuvastatin reduced the number of total inflammatory cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils recruited into BALF, the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-a in BALF, along with the histological mucus index （HMI） and GABAAR 132 expression. Changes occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions Based on its ability to reduce the inflammatory response and mucus hypersecretion by regulating GABAAR activity in a murine model of chronic asthma, rosuvastatin may be a useful therapeutic agent for treatment of asthma.展开更多
文摘Growth-regulating factors （GRFs） are plant-specific transcription factors that were originally identified for their roles in stem and leaf development, but recent studies highlight them to be similarly important for other central developmental processes including flower and seed formation, root development, and the coordination of growth processes under adverse environmental conditions. The expression of several GRFs is controlled by microRNA miR396, and the GRF-miRNA396 regulatory module appears to be central to several of these processes. In addition, transcription factors upstream of GRFs and miR396 have been discovered, and gradually downstream target genes of GRFs are being unraveled. Here, we review the current knowledge of the biological functions performed by GRFs and survey available molecular data to illustrate how they exert their roles at the cellular level.
文摘Osteoporosis,a global age-related health problem in both male and female elderly,insidiously deteriorates the microstructure of bone,particularly at trabecular sites,such as vertebrae,ribs and hips,culminating in fragility fractures,pain and disability.Although osteoporosis is normally associated with senescence and estrogen deficiency,diabetes mellitus(DM),especially type 1 DM,also contributes to and/or aggravates bone loss in osteoporotic patients.This topic highlight article focuses on DM-induced osteoporosis and DM/ osteoporosis comorbidity,covering alterations in bone metabolism as well as factors regulating bone growth under diabetic conditions including,insulin,insulin-like growth factor-1 and angiogenesis.Cellular and molecular mechanisms of DM-related bone loss are also discussed.This information provides a foundation for the better understanding of diabetic complications and for development of early screening and prevention of osteoporosis in diabetic patients.
基金SERC Fact Track Scheme for Young Scientist, DST, Govt.of India, New Delhi to V. Chinnusamythe State Key Basic Researchand Development Plan of China (2003CB114300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30421002 and 30670182) to Z. Gong.
文摘Abscisic acid （ABA） regulates diverse plant processes, growth and development under non-stress conditions and plays a pivotal role in abiotic stress tolerance. Although ABA-regulated genetic processes are well known, recent discoveries reveal that epigenetic processes are an integral part of ABA-regulated processes. Epigenetic mechanisms, namely, histone modifications and cytosine DNA methylation-induced modification of genome give rise to epigenomes, which add diversity and complexity to the genome of organisms. Histone monoubiquitination appears to regulate ABA levels in developing seeds through histone H2B monoubiquitination. ABA and H2B ubiquitination dependent chromatin remodeling regulate seed dormancy. Transcription factor networks necessary for seed maturation are repressed by histone deacetylases （HDACs）-dependent and PICKLE chromatin remodeling complexes （CRCs）, whereas ABA induces the expression of these genes directly or through repression of HDACs. Abiotic stress-induced ABA regulates stomatal response and stress- responsive gene expression through HDACs and HOS15-dependent histone deacetylation, as well as through the ATP- dependent SWITCH/SUCROSE NONFERMENTING CRC. ABA also probably regulates the abiotic stress response through DNA methylation and short interfering RNA pathways. Further studies on ABA-regulated epigenome will be of immense use to understand the plant development, stress adaptation and stress memory.
基金ThisworkwassupportedbythegrantsfromtheGuangdongNaturalScienceFoundationKeyProgram (No 0 20741),theNationalNaturalScienceFoundationofChina (No 3 0 3 70 62 2),theNationalHighTechnologyResearchandDevelopmentProgram (10 2 0 8070499),andtheSARSResearchFoundat
文摘Background Chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) was recently identified as a novel cytokine The full-length CKLF1 cDNA contains 530 bp encoding 99 amino acid residues with a CC motif similar to that of other CC family chemokines Recombinant CKLF1 exhibits chemotactic activity on leucocytes and stimulates proliferation of murine skeletal muscle cells We questioned whether CKLF1 could be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammation and proliferation in the lung Therefore we used efficient in vivo gene delivery method to investigate the biological effect of CKLF1 in the murine lung Methods CKLF1-expressing plasmid, pCDI-CKLF1, was constructed and injected into the skeletal muscles followed by electroporation Lung tissues were obtained at the end of week 1,2,3 and 4 respectively after injection The pathological changes in the lungs were observed by light microscope Results A single intramuscular injection of CKLF1 plasmid DNA into BALB/c mice caused dramatic pathological changes in the lungs of treated mice These changes included peribronchial leukocyte infiltration, epithelial shedding, collagen deposition, proliferation of bronchial smooth muscle cells and fibrosis of the lung Conclusions The sustained morphological abnormalities of the bronchial and bronchiolar wall, the acute pneumonitis and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis induced by CKLF1 were similar to phenomena observed in chronic persistent asthma, acute respiratory distress syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome These data suggest that CKLF1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of these important diseases and the study also implies that gene electro-transfer in vivo could serve as a valuable approach for evaluating the function of a novel gene in animals
文摘After myocardial infarction(MI), the heart undergoes extensive myocardial remodeling through the accumulation of fibrous tissue in both the infarcted and noninfarcted myocardium, which distorts tissue structure, increases tissue stiffness, and accounts for ventricular dysfunction. There is growing clinical consensus that exercise training may beneficially alter the course of post-MI myocardial remodeling and improve cardiac function. This review summarizes the present state of knowledge regarding the effect of post-MI exercise training on infarcted hearts. Due to the degree of difficulty to study a viable human heart at both protein and molecular levels, most of the detailed studies have been performed by using animal models. Although there are some negative reports indicating that post-MI exercise may further cause deterioration of the wounded hearts, a growing body of research from both human and animal experiments demonstrates that post-MI exercise may beneficially alter the course of wound healing and improve cardiac function. Furthermore, the improved function is likely due to exercise training-induced mitigation of reninangiotensin-aldosterone system, improved balance between matrix metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1, favorable myosin heavy chain isoform switch, diminished oxidative stress, enhanced antioxidant capacity, improved mitochondrial calcium handling, and boosted myocardial angiogenesis. Additionally, meta-analyses revealed that exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation has proven to be effective, and remains one of the least expensive therapies for both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and prevents re-infarction.
文摘Osteoclasts, the bone-resorbing cells, play a pivotal role in skeletal development and adult bone remodeling. They also participate in the pathogenesis of various bone disorders. Osteoclasts differentiate from cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage upon stimulation of two essential factors, the monocyte/ macrophage colony stimulating factor （M-CSF） and receptor activation of NF-κB ligand （RANKL）. M-CSF binds to its receptor c-Fms to activate distinct signaling pathways to stimulate the proliferation and survival of osteoclast precursors and the mature cell. RANKL, however, is the primary osteoclast differentiation factor, and promotes osteoclast differentiation mainly through controlling gene expression by activating its receptor, RANK. Osteoclast function depends on polarization of the cell, induced by integrin avβ3, to form the resorptive machinery characterized by the attachment to the bone matrix and the formation of the bone-apposed ruffled border. Recent studies have provided new insights into the mechanism of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. In particular, c-Fms and RANK signaling have been shown to regulate bone resorption by cross-talking with those activated by integrin avβ3. This review discusses new advances in the understanding of the mechanisms of osteoclast differentiation and function.
文摘Background Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has been demonstrated to be associated with both congestive heart failure （CHF） and atrial fibrillation （AF）. This study investigated the effects of spironolactone, a kind of aldosterone antagonist, on atrial electrical remodeling and fibrosis in CHF dogs induced by chronic rapid ventricular pacing. Methods Twenty one dogs were randomly divided into sham-operated group, control group, and spironolactone group. In control group and spironolactone group, dogs were ventricular paced at 220 beats per minute for 6 weeks. Additionally, spironolactone at 15 mg.kgl.d1 was given to dogs 1 week before rapid ventricular pacing until pacing stopped. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiographic examinations were performed to detect structural and functional changes of the atrium. Swan2 Ganz floating catheters were used to measure hemadynamics variances. Atrial effective refractory period （AERP）, AERP dispersion （AERPd） conduction velocity （CV） were determined. The inducib atrial fibrosis was quantified with Masson staining. intra- and inter-atrium conduction time （CT） and intra-atrium ity and duration of AF were also measured in all groups. Finally, Results AERP did not change significantly after dogs were ventricular paced for 6 weeks. However, AERPd, intra- and inter-atrium CT increased significantly, and CV decreased apparently, which was negatively correlated to the atrial fibrosis （r=-0.74, P〈0.05）. Simultaneously, left atriums were enlarged and cardiac hemadynamics worsened in pacing dogs. Although spironolactone could not affect cardiac hemadynamics effectively, it can obviously improve left atrial ejection fraction （P〈0.05）. Spironolactone treatment did not alter AERP duration, but this medicine dramatically decreased AERPd （P〈0.05）, shortened intra- and inter-atrium conduction time （P〈0.05）, and increased atrium CV. Moreover, spironolactone decreased the inducibility and duration of AF （P〈0.05）, as well as at
文摘Objective: To investigate the structural changes of aorta, and evaluate the effects of atorvastatinon the remodeling of thoracic aorta in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) . Methods : Twelve eight-week-old SHR were randomized into atorvastatin treated group( ATV group, n = 6) and distilled water group( DW group, n = 6) ; Wistar-Kyoto rats(WKY) were used as normal controls. Atorvastatin was administered to ATV group for 10 weeks by gavage in mixture with distilled water( 1ml) ; the latter two groups were given the same amount of distilled water by gavage for 10 weeks. Systolic blood pressure of caudal artery was examined before and after treatment, and serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-C were measured.Wall thickness, media thickness, medial cross-sectional area and lumen diameter of thoracic aorta were assessed with computed video processing. Results: Systolic blood pressure in ATV group was markedly lower than that in DW group( P < 0.01). Compared with DW group and WKY group, serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-C in ATV group were significantly lower( P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Wall thickness, media thickness, and medial cross-sectional area to lumen ratio in DW group were significantly higher than those in WKY group and ATV group( P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but no such difference was found between WKY group and ATV group( P > 0.05 ). Conclusion : Vascular structural changes of aorta are due to the alteration of the vessel wall in early stage of SHR. Atorvastatin can markedly improve vascular remodeling.
基金This study was partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 30971303）.
文摘Background Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by reversible bronchial constriction, pulmonary inflammation and airway remodeling. Current standard therapies for asthma provide symptomatic control, but fail to target the underlying disease pathology. Furthermore, no therapeutic agent is effective in preventing airway remodeling. A substantial amount of evidence suggests that statins have anti-inflammatory properties and immunomodulatory activity. In this study, we investigated the effect of rosuvastatin on airway inflammation and its inhibitory mechanism in mucus hypersecretion in a murine model of chronic asthma. Methods BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin to induce asthma. The recruitment of inflammatory cells into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） and the lung tissues were measured by Diff-Quik staining and hematoxylin and eosin （H＆E） staining. ELISA was used for measuring the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-a in BALE Periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining was used for mucus secretion. Gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor （GABAAR） β2 expression was measured by means of immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and Western blotting. Results Rosuvastatin reduced the number of total inflammatory cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils recruited into BALF, the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-a in BALF, along with the histological mucus index （HMI） and GABAAR 132 expression. Changes occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions Based on its ability to reduce the inflammatory response and mucus hypersecretion by regulating GABAAR activity in a murine model of chronic asthma, rosuvastatin may be a useful therapeutic agent for treatment of asthma.
