Antigen dose defines T helper 1 and T helper 2 responses in the lungs of C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice independently of splenic responses.
To investigate the effect of antigen dose on immune response, C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice were sensitized with aluminum hydroxide gel (alum)-precipitated ovalbumin (OVA) then challenged with aerosolized OVA. Low-dose sensitization (less than 8 microg of OVA) elicited T helper 2 (Th2)-type immunoglobulins (Igs) secretion from C57BL/6 mice, including high levels of serum IgE, IgG1 and low levels of IgG2a, while BALB/c mice secreted T helper 1 (Th1)-type Igs, including low levels of IgE, IgG1 and high levels of IgG2a. In contrast, high-dose sensitization (more than 50 microgram) elicited Th1-type Igs secretion in C57BL/6mice, while BALB/c mice exhibited Th2-type Igs secretion. Furthermore, the number of eosinophils infiltrating into the lungs of low-dose OVA-sensitized C57BL/6 mice was significantly greater than in BALB/c mice sensitized with the same amount of OVA. Only a very high dose of OVA (1 mg) could induce greater eosinophil infiltration into the lungs of BALB/c mice compared with C57BL/6 mice. Additionally, low-dose sensitization generated Th2-type cytokines, including high levels of interleukin (IL) -4, IL-5 and a low level of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the lungs of C57BL/6 mice, while BALB/c mice generated Th1-type cytokines in their lungs, including low levels of IL-4, IL-5 and a high level of IFN-gamma. In contrast, high-dose sensitization elicited Th1-type cytokines production in the lungs of C57BL/6 mice, while BALB/c mice generated Th2-type cytokines in their lungs. Interestingly, splenocyte cultures from C57BL/6 mice produced Th1-type cytokines, while cultures from BALB/c mice produced Th2-type cytokines regardless of OVA sensitization dose (100 ng-1 mg). These results indicate that C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice have different susceptibilities to OVA-sensitization and OVA-induced pulmonary eosinophilia regulated by Th1- and Th2-type cytokines, independent of splenic Th1- and Th2-type cytokines production.
Morokata
T
T
Inflammation Research Pharmacology Laboratories, Institute for Drug Discovery Research, Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, 305-8585, Ibaraki, Japan. morokata@yamanouchi.co.jp
Ishikawa
J
J
Yamada
T
T
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D010047:Ovalbumin