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Dose‐response relationship of specific allergen exposure‐induced immunological tolerance: a mouse model
Author(s) -
Yeh YuehChiao,
Yen HungRong,
Jiang RongSan,
Wang RenChing,
Huang WanChun,
Chen ShyhChang,
Lin BoShiou,
Liang KaiLi
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international forum of allergy and rhinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.503
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 2042-6984
pISSN - 2042-6976
DOI - 10.1002/alr.21551
Subject(s) - ovalbumin , medicine , immunology , eosinophil , bronchoalveolar lavage , allergen , antigen , immunoglobulin e , inflammation , allergy , immunization , antibody , lung , andrology , asthma
Background It is believed that adequate allergen preimmunization exposure could induce immunologic tolerance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dose‐dependent mechanisms related to antigen‐specific tolerance induction in a mouse model. Methods Mice were assigned to 5 groups: the control (Cont) group received phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) preimmunization exposure and PBS sham immunization; the other 4 groups were exposed preimmunization to PBS (PBS group) or ovalbumin (OVA) (first mucosal doses: 1.25%, 2.5%, or 5% wt/vol aerosol from days −3 to −1) prior to OVA immunization. The OVA‐immunized mice received intraperitoneal doses of 20 μg OVA (on days 1, 7, and 14), and then a second set of mucosal doses with 0.5% wt/vol OVA aerosol (on days 18 to 20). After assessment of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), the mice were euthanized and their blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALFs), and lung tissues were collected for further analyses. Results OVA‐immunized mice exposed to OVA preimmunization had reduced AHR and immunoglobulin E production when compared to the PBS group. OVA preimmunization exposure inhibited eosinophilic inflammation in lung tissues. The proportions of BALF eosinophil counts from the groups exposed to OVA preimmunization were significantly decreased when compared with those exposed to PBS preimmunization. The balance of T helper 2 (Th2) and T regulatory (Treg) cytokines in BALFs were additionally observed in this mouse model. Conclusion Our results suggest that preimmunization exposure to an appropriate dose of a specific antigen could suppress allergic airway inflammation by induction of immunological tolerance.