INDUCTION OF HUMORAL IMMUNITY AND PULMONARY MAST-CELLS IN MICE AND RATS AFTER IMMUNIZATION WITH AEROSOLIZED ANTIGEN

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 48  (2) , 247-254
Abstract
Rats (BN .times. Wistar) and mice (CBA/Ca) were immunized by exposure in 10-day periods to an aerosol of ovalbumin (OA). In rats, this immunization resulted in IgE antibodies detectable at very low levels in bronchial washings; IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies were recorded in serum and bronchial washings. In mice, exposure to aerosolized antigen resulted in specific IgE and IgG antibodies in serum. The levels of IgM antibodies were low, and no IgA antibodies were recorded with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Histological examination of lung tissue from immunized rats and mice revealed increased numbers of cells with characteristics of both immature and mature mast cells. In the rats, these cells were more closely located to the bronchi in immunized than in control animals. In the latter animals, the mast cells were located around the blood vessels. Immature mast cells were located in the bronchiole-associated lymphatic tissue, which showed a marked proliferation in immunized animals. Sensitization via the airways provides possibilities to develop a model in rodents for studies of IgE-mediated allergy in the lung.