Co-administration of CpG oligonucleotides and chenopodium album extract reverse IgG2a/IgG1 ratios and increase IFN-gamma and IL-10 productions in a murine model of asthma.

Asthma is a disorder of increasing severity and prevalence. Recent knowledge about the pathogenesis of asthma emphasizes its inflammatory nature. CpG oligonucleotides are a class of compounds containing motifs based on the cytosine-guanine dinucleotides (CpG-ODNs). These motifs are suppressed in mammalian DNA. They induce inflammation in mammals characterized by the induction of T helper type 1 and regulatory responses. In this paper, the effect of CpG DNA co-administration with a homemade Chenopodium album (Ch.a) extract in a murine model of asthma is reported for the first time. Balb/C mice were sensitized using Ch.a. pollen allergenic extract plus CpG-ODNs intraperitoneally and were challenged with aerosolized allergen. Results measured included IL-10 and IFN-gamma cytokines as well as IgG subclasses. For this, splenocytes from mice treated with CpG/Ag or Ag alone, were cultured in the presence of antigen. The results showed that CpG ODN administered at the time of Ch.a sensitization, effectively increased cytokines and IgG2a/IgG1 ratios compared with those in mice treated with antigen or with PBS alone(P