Investigation of the very early immune response in viral induced experimental asthma exacerbation

Virus triggered acute asthma exacerbations are distinct clinical manifestations during chronic disease. They are defined as progressive worsening of disease symptoms and account for unscheduled emergency department visits or hospitalizations and require a systemic use of corticosteroids and short-acting β-agonists. Therefore, early detection of developing asthma exacerbations are needed for early intervention strategies.Thus, our aim is to analyse the early virus-induced specific immune response in asthmatic mice. Therefore, we used an established mouse model of experimental asthma exacerbation. Experimental asthma was induced in female C57BL/6 mice by systemic sensitization to and challenge with ovalbumin. Acute exacerbation was induced with intra-nasal application of the synthetic dsRNA-analogue poly(I:C). Broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) leukocytes and the expression and production of various cytokines, chemokines, and immune-modulatory factors in different compartments were analysed from 0 to 12 hours after poly(I:C) application.An early influx of eosinophils and a time dependent influx of neutrophils with the highest numbers after 12 hours were detected. This was accompanied by the production of chemokines like eotaxin and KC. Furthermore, an early and steadily increasing production of type I and type III interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor were found while an increase of T helper 2 (TH2) cell cytokines wa...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Airway Cell Biology and Immunopathology Source Type: research