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Previous Influenza Infection Exacerbates Allergen Specific Response and Impairs Airway Barrier Integrity in Pre-Sensitized Mice

Authors :
Luke J. Berry
Stephen M. Stick
Kara L. Perks
Paul Rigby
Darryl A. Knight
Anthony Kicic
Alexander N. Larcombe
Kevin Looi
Graeme R. Zosky
Source :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 22, Iss 8790, p 8790 (2021), Volume 22, Issue 16
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

In this study we assessed the effects of antigen exposure in mice pre-sensitized with allergen following viral infection on changes in lung function, cellular responses and tight junction expression. Female BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin and infected with influenza A before receiving a second ovalbumin sensitization and challenge with saline, ovalbumin (OVA) or house dust mite (HDM). Fifteen days post-infection, bronchoalveolar inflammation, serum antibodies, responsiveness to methacholine and barrier integrity were assessed. There was no effect of infection alone on bronchoalveolar lavage cellular inflammation 15 days post-infection<br />however, OVA or HDM challenge resulted in increased bronchoalveolar inflammation dominated by eosinophils/neutrophils or neutrophils, respectively. Previously infected mice had higher serum OVA-specific IgE compared with uninfected mice. Mice previously infected, sensitized and challenged with OVA were most responsive to methacholine with respect to airway resistance, while HDM challenge caused significant increases in both tissue damping and tissue elastance regardless of previous infection status. Previous influenza infection was associated with decreased claudin-1 expression in all groups and decreased occludin expression in OVA or HDM-challenged mice. This study demonstrates the importance of the respiratory epithelium in pre-sensitized individuals, where influenza-infection-induced barrier disruption resulted in increased systemic OVA sensitization and downstream effects on lung function.

Details

ISSN :
14220067
Volume :
22
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....0f0c2e749ac7aaac086a22ceb8267875