https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 IL-4Ra blockade reduces influenza-associated morbidity in a murine model of allergic asthma https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:39240 h2 signalling, improved their outcomes. Methods: Male BALB/c mice were intranasally sensitized with house dust mite antigen (Der p 1) for 2 weeks; the mice were then inoculated intranasally with a single dose of pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1). The mice were administered intraperitoneally anti-IL-4Rα through either a prophylactic or a therapeutic treatment strategy. Results: Infection with pH1N1 of mice sensitized to house dust mite (HDM) led to a 24% loss in weight by day 7 of infection (versus 14% in non-sensitized mice; p < .05). This was accompanied by increased viral load in the airways and a dampened anti-viral host responses to the infection. Treatment of HDM sensitized mice with a monoclonal antibody against IL-4Rα prior to or following pH1N1 infection prevented the excess weight loss, reduced the viral load in the lungs and ameliorated airway eosinophilia and systemic inflammation related to the pH1N1 infection. Conclusion: Together, these data implicate allergic asthma as a significant risk factor for H1N1-related morbidity and reveal a potential therapeutic role for IL-4Rα signalling blockade in reducing the severity of influenza infection in those with allergic airway disease.]]> Wed 10 Aug 2022 08:53:16 AEST ]]> IL-22 and its receptors are increased in human and experimental COPD and contribute to pathogenesis https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:46962 Il22−/−) mice. CS-induced airway remodelling and emphysema-like alveolar enlargement did not occur in Il22−/− mice. Il22−/− mice had improved lung function in terms of airway resistance, total lung capacity, inspiratory capacity, forced vital capacity and compliance. These data highlight important roles for IL-22 and its receptors in human COPD and CS-induced experimental COPD.]]> Mon 12 Dec 2022 14:27:30 AEDT ]]>