title: Importance of interleukin-4 and interleukin-12 in allergen-induced airway changes in mice.
abstract: T helper 2 (Th2)-like cells are thought to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atopic asthma. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the in vivo effect of suppressing Th2 cell development on allergen-induced airway changes. Repeated exposure of actively sensitized C57Bl/6 mice to aerosolized ovalbumin (OA) causes, in comparison to saline-exposed control animals, synthesis of specific IgE, increase of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and airway hyperresponsiveness. These effects are not observed in OA-exposed, sensitized IL-4-knockout mice. Likewise, these effects are inhibited in OA-exposed C57Bl/6 mice treated with IL-12 during initial antigen exposure. These results suggest that suppressing Th2 cell development in vivo might have profound inhibitory effects on allergen-induced airway changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kips
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Brusselle
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Joos
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Peleman
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Devos
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tavernier
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pauwels
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000502:physiology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D012701:Serotonin; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D002217:Carbachol; D010047:Ovalbumin