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EFFECTS OF PARTICLES FROM TWO GERMAN CITIES ON ALLERGIC RESPONSES IN MICE
Citation:
Gavett, S H., L. R. Bishop, N HaykalCoates, AND M I. Gilmour. EFFECTS OF PARTICLES FROM TWO GERMAN CITIES ON ALLERGIC RESPONSES IN MICE. Presented at American Thoracic Society Meeting, San Francisco, CA, May 18-23, 2001.
Description:
EFFECTS OF PARTICLES FROM TWO GERMAN CITIES ON ALLERGIC RESPONSES IN MICE. S. H. Gavett, L. R. Bishop, N. Haykal-Coates, J. Heinrich*, and M. I. Gilmour. Experimental Toxicology Division, ORD/NHEERL, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, *GSF, Neuherberg, Germany.
Children (5-14 yr old) living in the industrial city of Hettstedt (H) in eastern Germany were reported to have a higher incidence of sensitization to common aeroallergens com-pared to another cohort living in the nearby city of Zerbst (Z) which has less industrial pollution (Heinrich, 1999). The objective of this study was to examine effects of extracts of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) Teflon filters collected from these two cities (January-June 1999) or control (C) filters on responses to ovalbumin (OVA) antigen in mice. To examine effects on the sensitization phase, BALB/c mice were exposed by intratracheal (i.t.) instillation to 50 mg extracted PM in 50 ml saline 2 hr prior to i.t. sensitization with OVA in 50 ml saline. This i.t. exposure/sensitization was repeated 2 d later, and mice were challenged i.t. with OVA 12 d later. To examine effects on the challenge phase, BALB/cJ mice were sensitized with OVA/adjuvant i.p., exposed 14 d later i.t. to 100 mg PM, and then challenged i.t. with OVA 2 hr later. H and Z given prior to challenge, but not prior to sensitization, increased immediate bronchoconstriction (enhanced pause) to OVA challenge (190% (P < 0.05) and 120%, respectively, vs. pre-challenge baseline). Two days after challenge, responsiveness to methacholine aerosol was significantly greater in mice exposed to H prior to challenge vs. Z or C. There were no differences in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell profiles in mice exposed prior to sensitization, while there was a 3-fold increase in eosinophils and neutrophils in mice exposed to Z prior to challenge and a 2-fold increase in neutrophils in mice exposed to H prior to challenge. Levels of BAL lactate dehydrogenase were significantly greater in mice exposed to Z and H prior to challenge vs. C-exposed mice. These results indicate that exposure to PM prior to challenge augments pathophysiologic responses associated with allergic asthma.
U.S. EPA. (This abstract does not reflect EPA policy.)