Inhaled house dust mite induces pulmonary T helper 2 cytokine production
2009
Background Inhaled house dust mite (HDM) results in T-helper (TH) 2 type pathology in
unsensitized mice, in conjunction with airway hyperreactivity and airway remodelling.
However, the pulmonary cytokine and chemokine profile has not been reported.
Methods We have performed a time course analysis of the characteristic molecular mediators
and cellular influx in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung in order to define the
pulmonary inflammatory response to inhaled HDM extract. Mice were exposed five times a
week to soluble HDM extract for 3 weeks. Lung function was measured in groups of mice at
intervals following the final HDM challenge. Recruitment of inflammatory cells and
inflammatory mediator production was then assessed in BAL and lungs of individual mice.
Results We found that Th2 cytokines were significantly increased in BAL and lung after HDM
challenge from as early as 2 h post-final challenge. The levels of cytokines and chemokines
correlated with the influx of eosinophils and Th2 cells to the different compartments of the
lung. However, the production of key cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 preceded the
increase in airways resistance.
Conclusion Inhaled HDM challenge induces a classical Th2 inflammatory mediator profile in
the BAL and lung. These data are important for studies determining the efficacy of novel
treatment strategies for allergic airways disease.
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