MANIFESTATION OF NASAL ALLERGY IN OVALBUMIN-SENSITIZED MICE

AS COMPARED WITH MAST CELL-DEFICIENT MICE, DETERMINED WITH AN IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE AGENT

Abstract

We performed general and topical sensitization by ovalbumin in wild type, WBBFI6-+/+ (+/+), mice and mast cell-depleted type, WBBFI6-W/W^v (W/W)^v, mice. Although both mice showed almost equal PCA liters, W/W^v mice showed a lower level of antigen-induced eosinophilia, and more significant nasal symptoms and histamine hypersensitivity than +/+ mice. Antigen-induced increased levels of histamine and IL-5 in nasal lavage fluid were noted in +/+ mice. Cyclosporin A pre-treatment inhibited the antigen-induced nasal symptoms, nasal eosinophilia and increased levels of histamine and IL-5 in nasal lavage fluid in the +/+ mice. The PCA titer was not affected by the treatment in either kind of mouse.