Influence of Asian dust particles on immune adjuvant effects and airway inflammation in asthma model mice.
OBJECTIVE
An Asian dust storm (ADS) contains airborne particles that affect conditions such as asthma, but the mechanism of exacerbation is unclear. The objective of this study was to compare immune adjuvant effects and airway inflammation induced by airborne particles collected on ADS days and the original ADS soil (CJ-1 soil) in asthma model mice.


METHODS
Airborne particles were collected on ADS days in western Japan. NC/Nga mice were co-sensitized by intranasal instillation with ADS airborne particles and/or Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), and with CJ-1 soil and/or Df for 5 consecutive days. Df-sensitized mice were stimulated with Df challenge intranasally at 7 days after the last Df sensitization. At 24 hours after challenge, serum allergen specific antibody, differential leukocyte count and inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured, and airway inflammation was examined histopathologically.


RESULTS
Co-sensitization with ADS airborne particles and Df increased the neutrophil and eosinophil counts in BALF. Augmentation of airway inflammation was also observed in peribronchiolar and perivascular lung areas. Df-specific serum IgE was significantly elevated by ADS airborne particles, but not by CJ-1 soil. Levels of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-13, IL-6, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 were higher in BALF in mice treated with ADS airborne particles.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that substances attached to ADS airborne particles that are not in the original ADS soil may play important roles in immune adjuvant effects and airway inflammation.
Department of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan.
Jun
J
Kurai
Department of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan.
Masanari
M
Watanabe
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Yonago Medical Center, Yonago, Tottori, Japan.
Katsuyuki
K
Tomita
Hiroyuki
H
Sano
Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, Japan.
Hiroyuki Sano Akira
HS
Yamasaki
Akira
A
Yamasaki
Department of Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan.
Eiji
E
Shimizu
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004391:Dust / Q000276:immunology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D004391:Dust