Aspergillus fumigatus conidia are the most prevalent indoors fungal allergens. The interaction between Aspergillus antigens and lung epithelial cells (LECs) result in innate immune functions. The association between Aspergillus conidia and allergic reactions, like allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and asthma have been repeatedly reported. Since conventional therapies for allergy and asthma are limited, finding new promising treatments are inevitable. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of A. fumigatus conidia on IL-12, IFN-gamma, IL-13 and IL-17 release from mouse LEC5 and to investigate the effect of propolis on cytokines modulation. Cells were divided to two groups, one was exposed to 3 x 10(4) conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus and another group was treated by propolis (25 mu g/mL) as well as exposed to A. fumigatus conidia. Cytokines IL-13, IL-12, IFN-gamma and IL-17 were measured at times 0, 6 and 12 hours after exposure using ELISA assay. The results indicated that A. fumigatus could increase the release of the cytokines with IL-13 and IL-17 being the most affected ones whilst treatment with propolis decreased the effects of A. fumigatus on IL-13 and IL-17 production. The results showed that propolis has down regulatory effects on Th2 cytokine, IL-13, and IL-17 production, whereas it caused a significant induction of IL-12, as an important Thl cytokines by LECs. With respect to the obtained results, propolis extract might be contributed to decrease Th2 responses in allergic asthma phenomenon. However more investigations must be done in future to fully understand its efficacy. (C) 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
