Abstract
T helper 2 (Th2)-like cells are thought to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atopic asthma. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the in vivo effect of suppressing Th2 cell development on allergen-induced airway changes. Repeated exposure of actively sensitized C57Bl/6 mice to aerosolized ovalbumin (OA) causes, in comparison to saline-exposed control animals, synthesis of specific IgE, increase of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and airway hyperresponsiveness. These effects are not observed in OA-exposed, sensitized IL-4-knockout mice. Likewise, these effects are inhibited in OA-exposed C57Bl/6 mice treated with IL-12 during initial antigen exposure. These results suggest that suppressing Th2 cell development in vivo might have profound inhibitory effects on allergen-induced airway changes.
MeSH terms
-
Aerosols
-
Animals
-
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
-
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / immunology
-
Carbachol / pharmacology
-
Cell Count
-
Female
-
Immunization
-
Immunoglobulin E / analysis
-
Interleukin-12 / physiology*
-
Interleukin-4 / deficiency
-
Interleukin-4 / genetics
-
Interleukin-4 / physiology*
-
Male
-
Mice
-
Mice, Inbred C57BL
-
Mice, Knockout
-
Nasal Provocation Tests
-
Ovalbumin / administration & dosage
-
Ovalbumin / immunology
-
Ovalbumin / toxicity
-
Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
-
Respiratory Hypersensitivity / etiology
-
Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology*
-
Respiratory Hypersensitivity / pathology
-
Serotonin / pharmacology
-
Th2 Cells / drug effects
-
Th2 Cells / immunology*
-
Th2 Cells / pathology
Substances
-
Aerosols
-
Recombinant Proteins
-
Interleukin-12
-
Interleukin-4
-
Serotonin
-
Immunoglobulin E
-
Carbachol
-
Ovalbumin