Alveolar macrophages stimulate enhanced cytokine production by pulmonary CD4+ T-lymphocytes in an exacerbation of murine chronic asthma.

ABSTRACT: The mechanisms underlying the exaggerated distal airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness that characterize acute exacerbations of asthma are largely unknown. Using BALB/c mouse experimental models, we demonstrated a potentially important role for alveolar macrophages (AM) in the development of an allergen-induced exacerbation of asthma. To induce features of airway inflammation and remodeling characteristic of mild chronic asthma, animals were systemically sensitized and exposed to low mass concentrations (≈3 mg/m(3)) of aerosolized ovalbumin for 30 minutes per day, 3 days per week, for 4 weeks. A subsequent single moderate-level challenge (≈30 mg/m(3)) was used to trigger an acute exacerbation. In chronically challenged animals, cytokine expression by AM was not increased, whereas aft

SUBMITTER: Herbert C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2947263 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature