Expression of PTEN in bronchial biopsies of asthma patients and the regulation of PTEN by dexamethasone

Objective To investigate the expression level of PTEN and non asthma controls and to investigate the regulation of PTEN expression by dexamethasone.Methods Bronchial biopsies were obtained from 5 asthma patients and 6 non asthma controls.The human A549 cell line was used to explore the possible mechanism of action of dexamethasone on human PTEN regulation in vitro.Real-time PCR were used to detect expression level of PTEN gene.Results The expression level of PTEN gene was reduced in asthma groups compared to control groups(P0.05).Conclusion This study provides evidence for the expression of PTEN mRNA in the bronchial mucosa of asthma patients and supports the concept that PTEN might play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of the asthma.The regulation of PTEN expression by dexamethasone indicated a new therapeutic pathway.