The derivation of an inbred line of rats which develop asthma-like symptoms following challenge with aerosolized antigen.
Sensitized Sprague-Dawley rats developed respiratory impairment after challenge with aerosolized antigen. The response to challenge was heterogeneous. A proportion of each group of rats developed dyspnea and other symptoms similar to asthma; the remainder developed apnea but no other symptoms. Selective breeding from rats which developed dyspnea increased the incidence from 44% in F0 to 55% in F1 and greater than 90% in F2 and F3. Inbreeding also produced a significant increase in the duration of antigen-induced dyspnea. The results from the selective inbreeding suggest antigen-induced dyspnea is controlled genetically, possibly by multiple gene loci. These inbred rats constitute a population which have a predictable response to aerosolized antigen challenge. They should have utility in investigating allergic asthma and evaluating potential new drugs.
D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains / Q000276:immunology*
D000336:Aerosols; D000941:Antigens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin