Endotoxins and Allergy: Lessons from the Murine Model
- 1 January 2002
- journal article
- review article
- Published by S. Karger AG in Pathobiology
- Vol. 70 (5), 255-259
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000070738
Abstract
Exposure early in life to organic dusts containing immunomodulatory components such as endotoxins and immunizing components such as aeroallergens may greatly influence whether subsequent encounters with allergens lead rather to sensitization or unresponsiveness. We investigated the effects of endotoxin in the context of allergen-mediated immune responses in a murine model of allergen sensitization. Systemic sensitization with ovalbumin induced high serum levels of allergen-specific IgE, predominant Th2-type cytokine production, eosinophilic airway inflammation and in vivo airway hyperreactivity. Endotoxins were either applied systemically prior to sensitization, or via the airways prior to airway challenges, or by repeated inhalation during the first weeks of life prior to subsequent sensitization. Different effects of endotoxins on allergen-induced immune responses may be attributed to differences in dosing, route of application, time relationship with allergen sensitization and the concurrent exposure to endotoxin and allergen. The results of these studies may help to define the effects of endotoxin on allergen-mediated immune reactions and to further delineate the important interrelationships between environment and disease development. Finally, this may lead to new strategies in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.Keywords
This publication has 17 references indexed in Scilit:
- Environmental Exposure to Endotoxin and Its Relation to Asthma in School-Age ChildrenNew England Journal of Medicine, 2002
- Exposure to farming in early life and development of asthma and allergy: a cross-sectional surveyThe Lancet, 2001
- Endotoxin-stimulated innate immunity: A contributing factor for asthmaJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2001
- Levels of Environmental Endotoxin and Prevalence of Atopic DiseasePublished by American Medical Association (AMA) ,2000
- Exposure to endotoxin or other bacterial components might protect against the development of atopyClinical and Experimental Allergy, 2000
- Siblings, Day-Care Attendance, and the Risk of Asthma and Wheezing during ChildhoodNew England Journal of Medicine, 2000
- Reduced risk of hay fever and asthma among children of farmersClinical and Experimental Allergy, 2000
- The message from the World Asthma Meeting. The Working Groups of the World Asthma Meeting, held in Barcelona, Spain, December 9-13, 1998European Respiratory Journal, 1999
- Role of the Th2 Cytokines in the Development of Allergen–Induced Airway Inflammation and HyperresponsivenessInternational Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 1999
- The Consequences of the Intracellular Retention of Pathogen-Derived T-Cell-Independent Antigens on Protein Presentation to T CellsClinical Immunology and Immunopathology, 1997