Toll-like receptor ligands LPS and poly (I:C) exacerbate airway hyperresponsiveness in a model of airway allergy in mice, independently of inflammation.

ABSTRACT: It is well-established that bacterial and viral infections have an exacerbating effect on allergic asthma, particularly aggravating respiratory symptoms, such as airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). The mechanism by which these infections alter AHR is unclear, but some studies suggest that Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a role. In this study, we investigated the impact of TLR3 and TLR4 ligands on AHR and airway inflammation in a model of pre-established allergic inflammation. Female BALB/c mice were sensitised and challenged intranasally (i.n.) with either PBS or ovalbumin (OVA) and subsequently i.n. challenged with poly (I:C) (TLR3) or LPS (TLR4) for four consecutive days. The response to methacholine was measured in vivo; cellular and inflammatory mediators were measured in blood, lung tis

SUBMITTER: Starkhammar M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4121312 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature