title: Effect of anti-IL-4 and anti-IL-5 antibodies on allergic airway hyperresponsiveness in mice.
abstract: In order to study the role of IL-4 and IL-5 in allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in mice, the effect of the combined administration of anti-IL-4 and anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) on IgE response, airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness was studied in sensitized Balb/c mice. Three inhalations of antigen caused an increase in the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and in airway responsiveness to acetylcholine, with a significant elevation in the serum antigen-specific IgE level. Anti-IL-4 mAb inhibited IgE production but did not affect airway eosinophilia or hyperresponsiveness. Moreover, anti-IL-5 mAb inhibited airway eosinophilia but did not affect IgE production or airway hyperresponsiveness. The combined administration of anti-IL4 and anti-IL-5 mAbs, however, inhibited IgE antibody production, airway eosinophilia and hyperresponsiveness. These results suggest that inhibitory action of IL-4 and IL-5 in combination can effectively suppress the onset of antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maeda
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000941:Antigens / Q000009:adverse effects; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens; D015848:Interleukin-5; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E