A Latex‐Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation Model in Mice

Abstract

Latex allergy is important due to serious health impacts and widespread use of its products. Latex allergic reactions can be induced in skin and mucosal surfaces including the respiratory tract. The development of murine models of allergic airway inflammation has provided a framework to dissect out the cellular and molecular mechanisms of allergic respiratory inflammation. In this study we have developed a new mouse model of latex allergic airway inflammation using aerosol inhalation. The allergic inflammatory responses were characterized in this model. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with 0, 10, 50, or 200 mg of latex extract and their serum anti-latex IgE titers were determined. In the second stage, a standard protocol of inhalation was designed and three doses of latex extract solutions including 1%, 0.1%, and 0.01% were used to induce allergic airway inflammation. Bronchoalveolar lavage cytokines (IL-5 and IL-13) and serum antilatex IgE and IgG 1 titers were determined by ELISA. Eosinophil levels in lung, peripheral blood, bronchoalveolar lavage and bone marrow were also evaluated. Histological analysis of lung tissue was also performed after latex inhalation. The aerosol inhalation of 1% latex allergens solution and presensitization with 50 mg of latex in this study resulted in the development of allergic airway inflammation characterized by elevated allergen specific IgE and IgG 1 , peripheral blood, bronchoalveolar lavage and bone marrow eosinophilia. Histological analysis of the lung revealed an inflammatory response characterized by eosinophil accumulation. Elevated levels of Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13 also were shown in bronchoalveolar lavage samples. These studies demonstrate that sensitization and subsequent aerosol inhalational challenge of latex allergen extract promotes allergic airway inflammation characterized by elevated IL-5 and IL-13 and eosinophils.

An Investigation of Latex Sensitivity and Respiratory Complaints in Workers in a Rubber-Based Material Manufacturing Industry

“…A study by Raulf-Heimsoth et al, 17 which suggested cytokine increases due to latex exposure, reported that 32 health care professionals with suspected latex allergies had increased IL-5 levels in the nasal wash and nasal swab. Farzaneh et al 18 showed that latex allergen inhalation elevates IL-5 and IL-13 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage in mice. The present study investigated whether intense and long-term latex contact in employees with chronic latex exposure affects serum cytokine levels.…”

Bronchial Asthma, Airway Remodeling and Lung Fibrosis as Successive Steps of One Process

“…There are a lot of variations of this model in mice using extracts of different allergens, such as cockroach extract [131], common ragweed extract [132], latex extract [133] (as of today seldom used as an asthmatic model) and extracts from several Aspergillus species, mainly fumigatus [134]. Additionally, a combination of HDMs, ragweed, and Aspergillus fumigatus extracts called DRA is also used to induce chronic asthma in mice, closely mimicking human asthma.…”

Latex allergy: a model for therapy

“…2). Experimental models of latex allergy allow investigation of allergen forms, routes of sensitization, mechanisms of down-regulating the adverse immune response to allergens and evaluation of novel specific treatments [129][130][131][132][133][134].…”