Purified Native and Recombinant Major Alternaria alternata Allergen (Alt a 1) Induces Allergic Asthma in the Murine Model

Abstract

Aeroallergens such us the spores of Alternaria alternata are described as the most important agents associated with respiratory allergies and severe asthma. Various experimental models of asthma have been developed using A. alternata extracts to study the pathogenesis of asthma, establishing the main parameters that trigger the asthmatic response. In this study, we describe a mouse model of asthma induced only by Alt a 1. To induce the allergic response, mice were challenged intranasally with the major allergen of A. alternata, Alt a 1. The presence of eosinophils in the lungs, elevated concentrations of Th2 family cytokines, lymphocyte proliferation and elevated IgE total serum levels indicated that the sensitisation and challenge with Alt a 1 induced the development of airway inflammation. Histological studies showed an eosinophilic cellular infiltrate in the lung tissue of mice instilled with Alt a 1. We demonstrate that Alt a 1 alone is capable of inducing a lung inflammatory response with an increase in IgE serum levels mimicking the allergic asthma immunoresponse when it is administered into BALB/c mice. This model will allow the evaluation of the immunoregulatory or immunotolerant capacity of several molecules that can be used in targeted immunotherapy for fungal allergic asthma.

Changes of allergic inflammation and immunological parameters after Alt a 1 and A. alternata immunotherapy in mice

“… 40 In addition, it has been reported that sensitization with Alt a 1 alone can induce allergic responses in mice. 41 Therefore, the whole extract was more likely to contribute to the reduction in Tfh cells and subtypes. Accumulating evidence suggests the induction of IL-10 + Breg cells following AIT.…”

Special Issue: Alternaria alternata: Should We Still Consider This Fungus as a Minor Brother in the Etiology of Respiratory Allergy?

“…Vélez del Burgo and colleagues [ 11 ] describe, for the first time, a mouse model of asthma induced only by Alt a 1. They demonstrated that Alt a 1 is capable of inducing a lung inflammatory response with an increase in IgE serum levels mimicking the allergic asthma immune-response when it is administered into BALB/c mice.…”