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Inhaled house dust mite induces pulmonary T helper 2 cytokine production
Author(s) -
Gregory L. G.,
Causton B.,
Murdoch J. R.,
Mathie S. A.,
O'Donnell V.,
Thomas C. P.,
Priest F. M.,
Quint D. J.,
Lloyd C. M.
Publication year - 2009
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.1365-2222.2009.03302.x
Subject(s) - house dust mite , chemokine , bronchoalveolar lavage , immunology , cytokine , lung , medicine , mediator , inflammation , allergy , allergen
Summary Background Inhaled house dust mite (HDM) results in T‐helper (TH) 2 type pathology in unsensitized mice, in conjunction with airway hyperreactivity and airway remodelling. However, the pulmonary cytokine and chemokine profile has not been reported. Methods We have performed a time course analysis of the characteristic molecular mediators and cellular influx in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung in order to define the pulmonary inflammatory response to inhaled HDM extract. Mice were exposed five times a week to soluble HDM extract for 3 weeks. Lung function was measured in groups of mice at intervals following the final HDM challenge. Recruitment of inflammatory cells and inflammatory mediator production was then assessed in BAL and lungs of individual mice. Results We found that Th2 cytokines were significantly increased in BAL and lung after HDM challenge from as early as 2 h post‐final challenge. The levels of cytokines and chemokines correlated with the influx of eosinophils and Th2 cells to the different compartments of the lung. However, the production of key cytokines such as IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐13 preceded the increase in airways resistance. Conclusion Inhaled HDM challenge induces a classical Th2 inflammatory mediator profile in the BAL and lung. These data are important for studies determining the efficacy of novel treatment strategies for allergic airways disease.