Antigen-Induced Bronchopulmonary Alterations in the Guinea Pig: A New Model of Passive Sensitization Mediated by Mouse IgE Antibodies

Abstract

A selective model to study the IgE-mediated anaphylactic bronchoconstriction (BC) in the guinea pig is needed, since human asthma involves mainly this class of antibody. However, most procedures presently available for passive homologous or active sensitization lead to responses which are mediated both by IgE and IgG antibodies. In this study, we developed an anaphylactic model in which guinea pigs are passively sensitized with mouse ascitic fluid containing dinitrophenol (DNP)-specific IgE antibodies. Challenge of sensitized animals with DNP coupled to bovine serum albumin evokes a bronchoconstrictor response that is maximal 5 h after sensitization. The resulting anaphylactic BC is not blocked by the H₁ histamine antagonist mepyramine, by the peptido-leukotriene antagonist FLP 55712 nor by the platelet-activating factor antagonist BN 52021 alone. However, when the sensitized animals are pretreated with the three drugs in combination, significantly reduced BC was observed upon challenge with the antigen. This latter result indicates that IgE-dependent BC involves the participation of different mediators, a characteristic shared in common with allergic asthma in human.

A Murine Model of Latex Allergy-Induced Airway Hyperreactivity

“…Unfortunately, the lack of an alternative antigen precludes a complete investigation of specificity at this time. We have tested both ovalbumin and A. fumigatus without success, as has been reported previously by others for ovalbumin [6,15,24,31] and for A. fumigatus [26]. Thus, in the present study, the ovalbumin sham injection serves only as a control for the vehicle and injection procedure.…”

“…Although there are several animal models of increased airway responsiveness [6,11], they are more or less suited to examine the potential role of immunologic alterations in the pathogenesis of airway reactivity. A murine model provides some advantages because of the availability of the genetically well characterized inbred strains and a complete genetic map.…”

Horse gammaglobulin‐induced thrombocytopenia in anaphylaxis involving sequestration and activation of platelets

“…Anti gen-specific systemic anaphyiaxis has been studied in different animal models. Vargaftig et al have extensively studied anaphylactic responses including bronchoconstriction, hypotension, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia using ovalbumin as the antigen in guinea-pig or rat [12][13][14][15][16][17]. In general, the animals were sensitized with ovalbumin containing aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant, which was believed to preferentially produce IgE antibody.…”

Role of Cyclooxygenase and 5-Lipoxygenase Metabolites, Platelet-Activating Factor and 5-Hydroxytryptamine in Allergen-Induced Airway Responses in the Brown Norway Rat

“…However, recent studies in the skin have dem onstrated that pre-treatment with cither a histamine, LTD4 or PAF antagonists alone was ineffective in inhib iting passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions, whilst a combination of antagonists virtually abolished the re sponse [30]. Similarly in the guinea-pig, the administration of either a histamine antagonist, a leukotricne antagonist or a PAF antagonist alone was ineffective against antigeninduced bronchoconstriction but when these drugs were given in combination a significant reduction in broncho constriction was produced [31]. It is now becoming clear that allergen-induced AHR is a multifactorial process in volving the interaction of several inflammatory cells, which are capable of releasing a wide range of inflamma tory mediators.…”