Eotaxin protein levels and airway pathology in a mouse model for allergic asthma

Eotaxin is a chemokine implicated in eosinophil trafficking and may be involved in the development of airway hyperresponsiveness. The role of eotaxin in a mouse model for allergic asthma was investigated. Challenging ovalbumin-sensitised mice with ovalbumin aerosol leads to airway hyperresponsiveness and airway eosinophilia 24 h after the last challenge. Furthermore, eotaxin concentrations were markedly increased in lungs and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid of ovalbumin-challenged mice compared to vehicle treated mice. This could mean that eotaxin is implicated in the pathology of this model. To further investigate the role of eotaxin in this murine model for allergic asthma, the ovalbumin response was modulated by either treatment with eotaxin antibodies or additional eotaxin, to suppress or promote the development of airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. Administration of eotaxin antibodies or an additional intravenous eotaxin injection did not alter the development of ovalbumin-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilia. In conclusion, eotaxin concentrations were increased in a murine model for allergic airway inflammation. However, anti-eotaxin antibodies or additive intravenous murine eotaxin did not influence airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in this mouse model for allergic asthma.