Allergic airway sensitization induces T cell activation but not airway hyperresponsiveness in B cell-deficient mice (original) (raw)

B cells play key roles in th2-type airway immune responses in mice exposed to natural airborne allergens

PloS one, 2015

Humans are frequently exposed to various airborne allergens. In addition to producing antibodies, B cells participate in immune responses via various mechanisms. The roles of B cells in allergic airway inflammation and asthma have been controversial. We examined the functional importance of B cells in a mouse model of asthma, in which mice were exposed repeatedly to common airborne allergens. Naïve wild-type BALB/c mice or B cell-deficient JH-/- mice were exposed intranasally to a cocktail of allergen extracts, including Alternaria, Aspergillus, and house dust mite, every other day for two weeks. Ovalbumin was included in the cocktail to monitor the T cell immune response. Airway inflammation, lung pathology, and airway reactivity were analyzed. The airway exposure of naïve wild type mice to airborne allergens induced robust eosinophilic airway inflammation, increased the levels of Th2 cytokines and chemokines in the lung, and increased the reactivity to inhaled methacholine. These ...

Passive transfer of immediate hypersensitivity and airway hyperresponsiveness by allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E and IgG1 in mice

Journal of Clinical Investigation, 1996

In a proportion of atopic asthmatics, exposure to a relevant antigen is followed by chronic inflammation in the airways leading to altered airway responsiveness (AR). However, the mechanisms underlying the development of airway hyperresponsiveness still remain unclear. To elucidate the relationship between IgE-mediated reactions and airway hyperresponsiveness, a murine model of passive sensitization and airway challenge with ovalbumin (OVA) was developed using anti-OVA IgE and IgG antibodies from murine B cell hybridomas. Passive sensitization by intravenous injection of anti-OVA IgE resulted in immediate cutaneous hypersensitivity and, after airway challenge with OVA on two consecutive days, increased AR in BALB/c and SJL mice. Increased numbers of eosinophils were observed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, in cells extracted from the lungs, and in the peribronchial areas of BALB/c mice passively sensitized with IgE and challenged through the airways compared with nonsensitized mice. Eosinophil peroxidase activity was also elevated in lung tissue from these mice. Passive sensitization with anti-OVA IgG1 but not IgG2a or IgG3 was similarly associated with development of skin test reactivity and increased AR after airway challenge, accompanied by an increase in eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These data suggest that IgE/IgG1-mediated reactions together with local challenge with antigen can result in allergic inflammation resulting in altered airway function. (

Vbeta8+ T lymphocytes are essential in the regulation of airway hyperresponsiveness and bronchoalveolar eosinophilia but not in allergen-specific IgE in a murine model of allergic asthma

Clinical <html_ent glyph="@amp;" ascii="&"/> Experimental Allergy, 1998

Background There is increasing evidence that in allergic asthma the inflammatory process is regulated by T lymphocytes. In BALB/c mice the majority of ovalbumin responsive T lymphocytes express the Vb8.1 þ and Vb8.2 þ T-cell receptor. Objective We analysed the contribution of Vb8 þ T lymphocytes during the sensitization and challenge phase in the regulation of antigen-specific IgE, airway hyperresponsiveness and cellular infiltration in the airways in a murine model of allergic asthma. Methods Mice strains genetically lacking (SJL/J and SJA/9) and expressing (BALB/c) the Vb8 þ T cell receptor were used. In addition, prior to the sensitization and prior to the challenge BALB/c mice were treated with antibodies to Vb8. Mice were sensitized with ovalbumin, followed by repeated challenge with ovalbumin or saline aerosols. Results In ovalbumin challenged BALB/c mice treated with control antibody a significant increase in eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage, airway hyperresponsiveness and increased serum levels of ovalbumin-specific IgE were observed compared to control mice. Treatment of BALB/c mice with antibodies to Vb8 prior to the sensitization or prior to the challenge period completely inhibited the ovalbumin induced infiltration of eosinophils and airway hyperresponsiveness, while ovalbumin-specific IgE was slightly decreased. In SJA/9 and SJL/J mice ovalbumin challenge did not induce eosinophilic infiltration and airway hyperresponsiveness. In SJL/J mice ovalbumin challenge induced an upregulation of ovalbumin-specific IgE, however, in SJA/9 mice no upregulation was observed. Conclusion It is demonstrated that Vb8 þ T lymphocytes are essential for infiltration of eosinophils in the airways and development of airway hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of allergic asthma. In contrast, although Vb8 þ T lymphocytes seem to be important for the extent of IgE levels, no essential role for Vb8 þ T lymphocytes in the induction of antigen-specific IgE was observed.

Allergen Immunotherapy Inhibits Airway Eosinophilia and Hyperresponsiveness Associated with Decreased IL-4 Production by Lymphocytes in a Murine Model of Allergic Asthma

American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 1998

In the present study, we investigated whether allergen immunotherapy is effective in a murine model with immunologic and pathophysiologic features reminiscent of allergic asthma. Ovalbumin-sensitized mice received increasing (1 g to 1 mg) subcutaneous doses of ovalbumin twice a week for 8 wk according to a semirush immunotherapy protocol as used in allergic patients. During immunotherapy, an initial rise in serum levels of ovalbumin-specific antibodies (immunoglobulin [Ig]G 1 , IgE, IgG 2a) occurred, after which IgE levels decreased sharply concomitant with an increase in IgG 2a levels. The increase in IgG 2a levels, with the decline in IgE levels, suggests that during immunotherapy interferon-␥ production is increased or interleukin (IL)-4 production is decreased. After immunotherapy, inhalation challenge of the mice with ovalbumin revealed almost complete inhibition (98%, P Ͻ 0.01) of eosinophil infiltration into bronchoalveolar lavage and airway hyperresponsiveness (100% at 320 g/kg methacholine, P Ͻ 0.05) compared with sham-treated animals. In addition, IL-4 production of thoracic lymph node cells stimulated with ovalbumin in vitro was largely reduced (60%, P Ͻ 0.05) after immunotherapy. Thus, effective immunotherapy in this animal model appears to be due to modulation of antigen-specific T cells. Similar effects on airway symptoms and IL-4 production can be obtained within 1 wk by three injections of the highest dose of ovalbumin (1 mg). This animal model will be used as a preclinical model to improve allergen immunotherapy and to gain more insight into the mechanisms involved.

Immune Responses in the Lung and Local Lymph Node of A/J Mice to Intranasal Sensitization and Challenge with Adjuvant-Free Ovalbumin

Toxicologic Pathology, 2003

Pathologic features of IgE-mediated allergic airway diseases include airway infiltration of inflammatory cells (eg, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils) and mucous cell metaplasia (MCM) in airway epithelium. CD4 + T lymphocytes, specifically those producing a type 2 (Th2) cytokine profile, are necessary for the induction of IgE-mediated allergic airway responses. Most experimental models of IgE-mediated allergic airway disease use systemic (eg, intraperitoneal) administration of an allergen coupled with an adjuvant to sensitize animals. Cytokine changes are measured in a number of ways including in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or lymph node cells stimulated ex vivo. The primary objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that intranasal sensitization and challenge of mice with ovalbumin in the absence of an adjuvant will induce the pathologic features that are characteristic of IgE-mediated allergic airway disease. Another objective was to determine if intranasal delivery of this allergen will result in the induction of a profile of cytokine gene expression in the lung and tracheobronchial (TB) lymph node, that is typical of immunologic changes associated with IgE-mediated allergic airway disease. Only mice that were intranasally sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin exhibited pulmonary lesions that included marked MCM in the respiratory epithelium lining the nasal and pulmonary airways, and an associated mixed inflammatory cell influx consisting of lymphocytes, plasma cells and eosinophils. Ovalbumin-treated mice also exhibited enhanced expression of the Th2 cytokine mRNAs IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 in the lung and IL-4 in the TB lymph node, and concurrent increases in ovalbumin-specific IgE in the serum. The results of this study indicate that A/J mice intranasally instilled with ovalbumin without adjuvant have the hallmark histopathologic and immunologic features of IgE-mediated allergic airway disease of humans.

Comparison of allergic lung disease in three mouse strains after systemic or mucosal sensitization with ovalbumin antigen

Immunogenetics, 2009

Murine models of allergic lung disease have many similar traits to asthma in humans and can be used to investigate mechanisms of allergic sensitization and susceptibility factors associated with disease severity. The purpose of this study was to determine strain differences in allergic airway inflammation, immunoglobulin production, and changes in respiratory responses between systemic and mucosal sensitization routes in BALB/cJ, FVB/NJ, and C57BL/6J, and to provide correlations between immune and pathophysiological endpoints. After a single intranasal ovalbumin (OVA) challenge, all three strains of mice systemically sensitized with OVA and adjuvant exhibited higher airflow limitation than non-sensitized mice. No changes were seen in mice that were pre-sensitized via the nose with OVA. Systemic sensitization resulted in an elevated response to methacholine (MCH) in BALB/cJ and FVB/NJ mice and elevated total and OVA-specific IgE levels and pulmonary eosinophils in all three strains. The mucosal sensitization and challenge produced weaker responses in the same general pattern with the C57BL/6J strain producing less serum IgE, IL5, IL13, and eosinophils in lung fluid than the other two strains. The converse was found for IL6 where the C57BL/6J mice had more than twice the amount of this cytokine. The results show that the FVB/NJ and BALB/cJ mice are higher Th2-responders than the C57BL/6J mice and that the levels of pulmonary eosinophilia and cytokines did not fully track with MCH responsiveness. These differences illustrate the need to assess multiple endpoints to provide clearer associations between immune responses and type and severity of allergic lung disease.

Regulatory Role of B Cells In a Murine Model of Allergic Airway Disease

The Journal of …, 2008

Mice sensitized to OVA and subjected to acute OVA aerosol exposures develop allergic airway disease (AAD). However, chronic continuous Ag exposure results in resolution of AAD and the development of local inhalational tolerance (LIT). Because we have previously observed ...

Influence of the route of sensitization on local and systemic immune responses in a murine model of type I allergy

Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 2004

SUMMARY The pathophysiological and immunological characteristics of allergic immune responses are controlled by a variety of factors. We have studied the extent to which the route of sensitization influences allergen-specific IgE synthesis and local airway inflammation using a mouse model of allergic sensitization to the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1. Sensitization of BALB/c mice with recombinant (r)Bet v 1 was performed using intraperitoneal (IP), subcutaneous (SC) or aerosol (AS) sensitization protocols. Mice were analysed for allergen-specific serum antibodies by ELISA and IgE-dependent basophil degranulation. Proliferative responses and cytokine production of splenocytes were measured upon Bet v 1 stimulation in vitro. Bronchoalveolar lavages were performed after airway challenge with aerosolized birch pollen extract for assessment of eosinophilic airway inflammation and local cytokine production in vivo. Highest allergen specific IgE levels and IgE-dependent basophil degr...

Antigen-induced airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness does not enhance airway responses to a subsequent antigen challenge in rats

Respiratory medicine, 2000

Brown-Norway (BN) rats develop airway hyper-responsiveness and lung eosinophilia 18-24 h after ovalbumin (OA) challenge. We hypothesized therefore that allergen-induced airway inflammation would further enhance airway responses to a subsequent antigen challenge. Animals were sensitized to both OA and bovine serum albumin (BSA) and, 14 days later, challenged by aerosols with both antigens 24 h apart. Measurements of pulmonary resistance (RL) were made for 8 h after the second antigen challenge and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed. Animals were divided into three groups and received two challenges as follows: saline-BSA (n=9), OA-saline (n=8) and OA-BSA (n=10). Sensitization was confirmed by measurements of specific OA-IgE and BSA-IgE. Early responses [determined as the highest value of RL within the first 30 min after the challenge] were absent in all study groups. The late responses [determined from the area under the RL versus time curve from 120 to 480 min after the chal...