[The observation of local immune response in the lungs from antigen-sensitized and challenged mice].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the local immune response after allergic sensitization and challenge in the lungs of mice.


METHODS
C57BL/6 mice were sensitized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) by intratracheal instillation and challenged 2 approximately 4 weeks later. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and plasma were collected and cells from the lung-associated lymph node (LALN), the lungs and the spleen were cultured and collected. Anti-KLH IgA, total IgA and albumin levels were measured by ELISA.


RESULTS
Intratracheal instillation of KLH induced local BAL antigen-specific IgA response, and further challenge expanded this response. The ratio of anti-KLH IgA/albumin in BALF was significantly higher than that in serum after both sensitization and challenge by KLH. In vitro, cells from the LALN and the lungs released anti-KLH IgA after sensitization and challenge by KLH, but spleen cells released lower levels of anti-KLH IgA compared to the LALN and the lungs.


CONCLUSIONS
Allergic sensitization by intratracheal instillation of KLH into the mouse lungs induced a local pulmonary response of specific IgA, and it was amplified by challenge with KLH. The accumulation of anti-KLH IgA in the respiratory lumen was the result of local production but not the result of simple transudation or leakage from the serum. The LALN and the lung lymphocytes were major sources of anti-specific IgA.
Shen
Huahao
H
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.
Liu
Jin
J
Liu
Fuguang
F
Wang
Xuanding
X
Lin
Xiaoli
X
Xu
Zhihan
Z
Huang
Gang
G
Yuan
Shuangjin
S
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000276:immunology; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D006433:Hemocyanins; C032808:keyhole-limpet hemocyanin