Comparison of aerosol and intranasal challenge in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness

Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2010;153(3):249-58. doi: 10.1159/000314365. Epub 2010 May 19.

Abstract

Background: The aim was to optimize antigen challenge for induction of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and inflammation in BALB/c mice sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA). Comparisons were made between mice challenged with OVA either as an aerosol or intranasally. The protocol that induced maximal AHR in BALB/c mice was thereafter tested in C57BL/6 mice.

Method: Methacholine responsiveness was measured using the flexiVent® system to assess AHR. Inflammatory responses were investigated by histology and cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid.

Results: 48 h after challenge with 1 or 6% OVA aerosols, there were similar increments in AHR and BAL cells, predominantly eosinophils. When comparing the effect of 1% OVA aerosol on AHR and cell infiltration at 24 and 48 h after challenge, the responses were similar. At 24 h, intranasal OVA administration (20-200 μg) caused a dose-dependent increase in AHR. BAL cells were increased by all intranasal OVA doses and to a greater extent than after 1% OVA aerosol challenge but without any dose dependency. Histological examination confirmed that there was an increase of eosinophils in lung tissue following either challenge. In C57BL/6 mice, baseline tissue elastance was the only functional outcome that was increased after intranasal OVA challenge. Even though the AHR response was negligible in C57BL/6 mice, a similar infiltration of BAL cells was observed in both strains.

Conclusion: Intranasal challenge was more effective than aerosol challenge at inducing both AHR and airway inflammation in BALB/c mice. Although intranasal challenge caused airway inflammation in C57BL/6 mice, this strain is not optimal for studying AHR.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal*
  • Aerosols / administration & dosage*
  • Animals
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / chemically induced*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Ovalbumin*

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Ovalbumin