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Animal models of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Viswanath P Kurup1, Gabriele Grunig
1Allergy-Immunology Division, Medical College of Wisconsin and V A Medical Center, Milwaukee 53295, USA. vkurup@mcw.edu
Abstract:
Among the allergic fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus, a saprophytic mold, distributed widely in the environment is a frequently recognized etiologic agent in a number of allergic conditions. Among the different allergic diseases caused by this fungus, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is by far the most significant one. The immunopathogenesis of this disease is not fully understood. Although several immunomodulatory treatments are available for allergic disease, none of them are applicable or relevant or useful in fungal induced allergy. It is essential to understand the pathogenesis of the disease including the antigen induced immunoregulation and the resulting factors, such as cytokine, chemokines, pathways activating factors, inflammatory and airway remodeling factors need to be understood for intervening with appropriate treatment. Animal models are essential in understanding these features of the disease. Several models of allergic aspergillosis have been developed in recent years in various animals. However, murine models have been studied more carefully and extensively. The exposure to antigen in mice leads to allergy very similar to ABPA with high IgE, elevated peripheral blood and lung eosinophils, pulmonary inflammation, and airway hyperreactivity. The role of various cytokines and chemokines and their receptors were also studied. In addition, immunotherapy and vaccination have been attempted in recent years using the murine model of ABPA. This review covers the murine model of Aspergillus induced allergy and asthma and presented critically our current understanding of the subject and the potential application of such a model in future for developing treatment modalities.
Insights
Murine models effectively mimic allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), aiding research into Aspergillus-induced asthma. These models are crucial for understanding disease mechanisms and developing new fungal allergy treatments.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Aspergillus fumigatus is a common airborne mold causing allergic conditions.
- Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a significant fungal-induced allergic disease.
- Current treatments for allergic diseases are not effective for fungal allergies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of murine models in studying Aspergillus-induced allergy and asthma.
- To critically assess current understanding of disease pathogenesis using these models.
- To explore the potential of murine models for developing novel treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on murine models of allergic aspergillosis.
- Analysis of studies investigating immune responses, cytokines, and chemokines in these models.
- Examination of research on immunotherapy and vaccination attempts in murine models.
Main Results:
- Murine models replicate key features of human ABPA, including elevated IgE and eosinophils.
- These models allow for detailed study of inflammatory pathways and airway remodeling.
- Research in murine models has informed immunotherapy and vaccination strategies.
Conclusions:
- Murine models are invaluable tools for understanding Aspergillus-induced allergic lung diseases.
- Further research using these models can advance the development of targeted therapies for fungal allergies.
- The review highlights the critical role of murine models in bridging the gap between pathogenesis understanding and therapeutic innovation.