Induction and Maintenance of Airway Responsiveness to Allergen Challenge Are Determined at the Age of Initial Sensitization

  • Gelfand E
  • Joetham A
  • Cui Z
  • et al.
35Citations
Citations of this article
18Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Age is an important factor in determining the quantity and quality of immune responses when challenged with allergen. In a model of allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation, where the sensitization phase and challenge phases can be dissociated in time, we examined the impact of age on these two phases. Sensitization of young mice (1–20 wk), but not older animals (30–40 wk), led to the development of airway hyperresponsiveness, airway eosinophilia, Th2 cytokine responses, and allergen-specific IgE, regardless of the age when the challenge phase was conducted. Thus, age at the time of initial sensitization was shown to be the critical factor dictating the nature of the response to later allergen challenge, as older mice remained responsive to allergen challenge if sensitized at a young age. These effects were shown to be mediated by lung T cells from sensitized young mice. Moreover, the failure of old sensitized mice to mediate these effects was shown not to be the result of active suppression of the responses. These data define the importance of age at initial allergen exposure in dictating subsequent responses in the lung when exposed to allergen and may help to define why asthma, even in adults, is most often initiated in early childhood.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Gelfand, E. W., Joetham, A., Cui, Z.-H., Balhorn, A., Takeda, K., Taube, C., & Dakhama, A. (2004). Induction and Maintenance of Airway Responsiveness to Allergen Challenge Are Determined at the Age of Initial Sensitization. The Journal of Immunology, 173(2), 1298–1306. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.173.2.1298

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free