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The Allergenic Potential of Molds Found in Water-Damaged Homes*
Citation:
WARD, M. D., Y. CHUNG, L. B. COPELAND, C. M. PUCHEU-HASTON, AND S. J. VESPER. The Allergenic Potential of Molds Found in Water-Damaged Homes*. Presented at Society of Toxicology 49th Annual meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, March 07 - 11, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
This study assessed the allergic potential of molds found in asthmatics' water-damaged homes (Group 1) and those more universally found (Group 2) in a mouse model. There were variable results induced by molds from both groups, but limited capacity of these Group 1 molds to induce allergy compared to house dust mite extracts
Description:
Damp/moldy environments have been associated with asthma exacerbation, but mold's role in allergic asthma induction is less clear. Recently, certain molds categorized as Group 1 were associated with asthmatics' water-damaged homes in Cleveland, while others were found more universally (Group 2). Asthma . exacerbations were lower in remediated homes compared to non-remediated homes. The study objective was to compare the allergy induction potential of these molds to house dust mite (HDM) in our mouse allergy/asthma model. Female BALB/c mice received 1 or 4 exposures by intratracheal aspiration of mold or HDM extract (0-80 I-Ig). Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected 2 days after the final exposure. . The allergenic impact of the various mold extract exposures was different for each regardless of its categorization. Multiple exposures were required to induce increased BALF eosinophil counts and serum total IgE. To achieve similar results to those induced by HDM in the antigen-specific IgE assay, Group 1 molds required 1.5X more Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (SBE) or 6.7X more Trichodenna viride (TVE). Group 2 molds required: 0.2X as much Cladosporium cladosporiodes (CCE) or 2.25X more Epicoccum nigrum (ENE) to produce similar results Both CCE and ENE induced BALF eosinophil counts and responses to methacholine (Mch) challenge similar to or higher than HDM. Neither Penicillium crustosum (PCG) nor Wallemia sebi (WSE) induced robust cellular or IgE responses but PCG did induce elevated.responses to Mch challenge at the higher doses. The data suggest that the categorization of certain molds as Group 1 or 2 does not indicate their capacity to induce allergic responses in a mouse model. However, the current study does not allow us to draw conclusions regarding the capacity of Group 1 and 2 molds to non-specifically exacerbate asthmatic responses. (This abstract does not reflect EPA policies.)