Ozone was added to the air of the environmental chambers containing specific pathogen-free mice. At levels of 0.5 and 0.8 ppm the oxidant was seen to have inflammatory effects, as shown by rising serum albumin levels in lung lavage fluid. Fluorescein conjugated anti-heavy chain sera were used to detect cells containing IgM, IgG, and IgA in measured lung areas termed Pulmonary Units. Antigenic stimuli occurred along the airways, with significant increases of IgA-containing cells in the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue. The numbers of IgM- and IgG-containing cells did not increase. Immunodiffusion analyses for immunoglobulins in lung lavage fluid indicated increases of IgG1, IgG2, and IgA in lung secretions. The calculation of changing Ig/Alb ratios suggested that the IgA present was largely the result of local synthesis, while IgG molecules were mainly of serum origin. Possible sources of antigenic stimuli to ozone-exposed lungs are discussed.
We studied the temporal appearance of immunoglobulins (immunoglobulins G1, G2, M, and A) and interferon in lung savage fluids of mice after aerosol exposure to influenza virus in six animal groups in which mortality rates ranged from 0 to 24%. Immunoglobulin levels in the lung lavage fluids were markedly higher in mouse groups with higher mortality rates (16, 20, and 24%) than in those with low mortality rates 40, 2.5, and 7.5%). Analysis of serum albumin in the respiratory secretions as an index of edema indicated that increased immunoglobulin G levels during the early phase of infection were due to increased vascular permeability. The detection of virus-neutralizing antibodies and antibodies reactive with influenza virus antigens in the lavage fluids at 6 to 8 days postinfection suggested local immunoglobulin synthesis as a result of antigenic stimulation. Both systemic and local antibody productions contributed to immunoglobulin levels in the respiratory secretions after aerosolized influenza virus infection. Peak levels of interferon in the lavage fluids were reached before detection of significant levels of virus-neutralizing antibody in the serum or the lung lavage.
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