Guinea Pig Asthma Induced by Red Soft Coral <i>(Dendronephthya nipponica</i><i>)</i> Inhalation

Abstract

Spiny lobster fishermen on the Pacific coast of Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan develop bronchial asthma due to occupational sensitization to red soft coral (Dendronephthya nipponica). To assess the role of sensitization in the development of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and the relationship between bronchial responsiveness and bronchial inflammation, we established a guinea pig model of red soft coral induced asthma. Twenty-four guinea pigs were intramuscularly immunized with a priming dose of red soft coral, 5 OD₂₈₀ (15 mg protein) per 0.5 ml, and 0.5 ml complete Freund’s adjuvant on day 1. Booster doses were repeated on day 15. By day 43 all sensitized animals showed high hemagglutination titers against red soft coral conjugated sheep erythrocytes and high IgG1 titers by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. On day 43, the animals were challenged by inhalation of red soft coral extracts, 20 OD₂₈₀ for 30 min. The respiratory resistance was monitored by the oscillation method. The respiratory resistance increased immediately upon inhalation in all sensitized animals and returned to baseline within 4 h. The bronchial reactivity to acetylcholine, measured 6 h after red soft coral inhalation in the sensitized animals when the respiratory resistance was returned to baseline, increased significantly (p < 0.05) as compared with the values measured 24 h before inhalation. The acetylcholine response measured 30 h later did not differ from preinhalation levels. There was a significant difference in the number of eosinophils (p < 0.001) in lamina propria and epithelium and of lymphocytes (p < 0.05) in the lamina propria 6 h after inhalation in the sensitized animals. There was also a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the number of eosinophils in the epithelium 30 h after inhalation. The increased airway responsiveness to acetylcholine in the sensitized animals correlated with an increase in the number of eosinophils in lamina propria and epithelium.

Purification of the Major Allergen of Red Soft Coral <i>(Dendronephthya nipponica)</i>

“…5), which sensitizes humans and generates allergic disease [1]. It was also found in RSC-induced guinea pig asthma [20]. In this paper, we purified the protein component Den n 1, the major allergen of RSC and elucidated its allergenicity.…”

Characterization of a novel allergenic protein from the octocoral Scleronephthya gracillima (Kuekenthal) that corresponds to a new GFP‐like family named Akane

“…A red octocoral, Dendronephthya sp., extract induced bronchial asthma in guinea pigs . Recently, two different specimens of the red octocorals caught together with spiny lobsters in dragnet were reported to have caused allergic reactions among occupational fishermen of the spiny lobster fishing community along the Pacific coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan .…”

Purification of a novel allergen (SAP-1), which induces allergic asthma, from the red soft coral (Alcyonium graciHimum)

“…Approximately 39% of patients suffered from rhinitis and 9% suffered from bronchial asthma when they were exposed to the corals. Tao et al 7 demonstrated that the extract of the red soft coral ( D. nipponica ) could provoke bronchial asthma in guinea pigs by inhalation of the coral extract. The bronchia of all sensitized animals had increased respiratory resistance immediately following inhalation of the extract.…”