Carbohydrate-based particles reduce allergic inflammation in a mouse model for cat allergy.
BACKGROUND
Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is the only treatment of allergic disease that gives long-lasting relief of symptoms. However, concerns for safety and efficiency have highlighted the need for improvement of the therapy. We have previously suggested carbohydrate-based particles (CBPs) as a novel adjuvant and allergen carrier for ASIT. Our aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of CBPs in ASIT, employing a mouse model for cat allergy.


METHODS
BALB/c mice were subcutaneously immunized with the recombinant (r) cat allergen Fel d 1 followed by intranasal challenge with cat dander extract (CDE). The sensitized mice were therapeutically treated with rFel d 1 covalently coupled to CBPs (CBP-rFel d 1). Airway hyper-reactivity (AHR), infiltration of leucocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, allergen-specific serum immunoglobulin levels and in vitro splenocyte responses were evaluated.


RESULTS
Mice treated with CBP-rFel d 1 showed reduced features of allergic inflammation. They responded with (i) significantly decreased AHR and infiltration of eosinophils in BAL fluid after CDE challenge, (ii) the serum level of rFel d 1-specific IgE was reduced and the level of IgG(2)a was more pronounced after CBP-rFel d 1 treatment, and (iii) there was also a tendency of decreased allergen-specific cellular response.


CONCLUSIONS
Carbohydrate-based particles are effective tools as adjuvant and allergen carriers for use in ASIT and constitutes a promising strategy to improve allergy treatment.
Neimert-Andersson
T
T
Department of Medicine Solna, Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit, and Department of Medicine Solna, Clinical Allergy Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Thunberg
S
S
Swedin
L
L
Wiedermann
U
U
Jacobsson-Ekman
G
G
Dahlén
S-E
SE
Scheynius
A
A
Grönlund
H
H
van Hage
M
M
Gafvelin
G
G
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D002415:Cats; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010316:Particle Size; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D002241:Carbohydrates; D006023:Glycoproteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C059296:Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus