Establishment and characterization of a novel murine model for pollen allergy

Abstract

Although there have been many studies revealing the mechanism and establishing the therapeutical method for allergic rhinitis, no suitable animal models for allergic rhinitis, especially for pollen allergy, are currently available. We therefore aimed in this study to develop a murine model producing IgE in response to an inhaled antigen without using any adjuvants. Ovalbumin (OVA)-specific T cell receptor transgenic mice (DO11.10) inhaled an OVA solution for one h, twice a week, for six weeks. The resulting increase of OVA-specific IgE in the serum was observed depending on the times of inhalation. Spleen cells from mice that had inhaled the antigen produced more IL-4 and less IFN-γ than those from the control mice in vitro. These results indicate that inhaled antigen enhanced the Th2-type responses and induced IgE production in a T cell-mediated manner. Our findings would contribute to studies on prevention and treatment of pollen allergy.

Anti-allergic effect of <i>Cyclopia</i> (honeybush) extracts via anti-degranulation activity in a murine allergy model for inhaled antigen

“…The present study focused on allergic rhinitis, which is characterized by nasal symptoms triggered by an IgE‐mediated response to allergen exposure [ 22 ]. The murine respiratory allergy model used in this study relied on IgE production in response to antigen inhalation without pre-sensitization via intraperitoneal immunization, similar to that in human pollen allergy patients [ 19 ]. In contrast, the mice inhaled atomized OVA as a model allergen instead of pollen.…”

“…OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a serum antibody titers were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, as previously described [ 19 ]. Briefly, 0.01% OVA/phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution was dispensed into 96-well plates at 100 µL/well (MaxiSorp™; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Roskilde, Denmark) and stored overnight at 4°C.…”