Intranasal Aspergillus fumigatus exposure induces eosinophilic inflammation and olfactory sensory neuron cell death in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of eosinophilic inflammation on olfactory sensory neuron cell death.


METHODS
Mice were sensitized to intranasal Aspergillus fumigatus extract and subsequently challenged acutely or chronically with the same allergen. The olfactory neuroepithelium was assessed for immunohistochemical evidence of apoptosis and inflammation.


RESULTS
Sensitized mice challenged with allergen demonstrated elevated eosinophil infiltration of the respiratory and olfactory mucosae, with olfactory sensory neuron apoptosis. Remarkably, massive neuronal apoptosis without eosinophil infiltration occurred in nonsensitized mice after a single dose of extract.


CONCLUSIONS
Intranasal sensitization with A fumigatus results in a model with multifactorial effects. Protocols using A fumigatus to induce allergic rhinitis may need modification to allow confident interpretation.


CONCLUSIONS
Fungal allergens may contribute to anosmia through the induction of olfactory sensory neuron apoptosis, with and without prior sensitization.
Epstein
Victoria A
VA
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Bryce
Paul J
PJ
Conley
David B
DB
Kern
Robert C
RC
Robinson
Alan M
AM
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000276:immunology; D051842:Olfactory Marker Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D009832:Olfactory Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000473:pathology*
D051842:Olfactory Marker Protein; C497598:Omp protein, mouse