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Role of mast cells, eosinophils and IL‐5 in the development of airway hyperresponsiveness in sensitized mice
Author(s) -
NAGAI H.,
YAMAGUCHI S.,
MAEDA Y.,
TANAKA H.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1996.tb00590.x
Subject(s) - immunology , ovalbumin , eosinophilia , bronchoalveolar lavage , eosinophil , mast cell , antigen , medicine , inhalation , airway , interleukin 5 , asthma , interleukin , cytokine , lung , anesthesia
Summary Background and objective In order to study the role of mast cells and IL‐5 in allergen‐induced airway hyperreactivity in mice, airway responsiveness in WBB6F 1 ‐W/W v mice (mast cell deficient) and the effects of anti‐IL‐5 monoclonal antibody (NC‐17) and three anti‐allergic drugs (N‐556, ketotifen and amlexanox) on airway hyperreactivity in Balbc mice were studied. Methods Mice were immunized with an antigen (ovalbumin; OA) at intervals of 12 days. OA was inhaled 10 days after the secondary immunization. Twenty‐four hours after the last inhalation, airway reactivity to acetyleholine was measured and broncho‐alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained. Resutls Three inhalations of OA caused an increase in leucocytes (including eosinophils). accompanied by increases in IL‐5 in BALF, and airway hyperreaetivity to acetylcholine in Balb/c and WBB6F 1 ‐ +/+ mice. In WBB6F 1 ‐W/W v mice, antigen inhalation resulted in increases in leucocytes and IL‐5 in BALF but did not result in airway hyperreactivity. NC‐17 at doses between 10 and 20μg (intratracheal injection) inhibited the antigen‐induced eosinophilia but did not affect airway hyperreaetivity in Balb/c mice. Three ‘anti‐allergie’ drugs clearly inhibited antigen‐induced increases in IL‐5 levels and the number of eosinophils in BALF, but did not alTect airway hyperreactivity in Balb/c mice. Conclusions These data suggest that mast cells play an important role in the onset of airway hyperreactivity but do not play a role in the production of IL‐5 and eosinophilia. Furthermore., indicate that the inhibition of IL‐5 is not always associated with a reduetion in antigen‐induced airway hyperreactivity in mice.