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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
Published on: May 14, 2012
Experimental murine hypersensitivity pneumonitis
1Department of Medicine, Albuquerque VA Medical Center, New Mexico 87108.
Abstract:
To establish a model of experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis (EHP) in mice and to examine the influence of genetic background on the pulmonary inflammatory response to Micropolyspora faeni, we determined the responses of C57BL/6, SJL/J, and C3H/HeJ mice to intratracheal (i.t.) injections of M. faeni. Recipient animals received lymph node cells (LNC), peritoneal exudate cells (PEC), and spleen cells (SC) from sensitized mice cultured in vitro with M. faeni. Controls included serum containing anti-M. faeni antibody; uncultured SC from M. faeni-sensitized donors, and M. faeni-cultured SC from ovalbumin (OA)-sensitized donors. Recipients were challenged i.t. with M. faeni or normal saline 48 hr after the cell or serum transfer. We developed a model of EHP in mice. Increasing amounts of i.t. M. faeni were associated with increasing extent of pulmonary inflammation with no difference between the mouse strains. There was substantial increase of the extent of pulmonary abnormalities in the animals receiving cultured SC. The number of transferred cells and the M. faeni concentration correlated with the extent of pulmonary histologic abnormalities. Cultured PEC and LNC could transfer EHP in C3H/HeJ mice only. Serum containing anti-M. faeni antibody, cultured SC from OA-sensitized donors, and noncultured SC from sensitized donors could not transfer EHP. We conclude that it is possible to adoptively transfer EHP.
Insights
This study establishes a mouse model for experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis (EHP). Adoptive transfer of specific immune cells successfully induced EHP, demonstrating its feasibility.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Experimental Pathology
Background:
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (EHP) is an immune-mediated lung disease.
- Understanding the mechanisms of EHP pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Genetic factors may influence susceptibility and response to EHP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a reproducible mouse model of experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis (EHP).
- To investigate the role of genetic background in the pulmonary inflammatory response to Micropolyspora faeni.
- To determine the feasibility of adoptive transfer of EHP.
Main Methods:
- Established an EHP model in C57BL/6, SJL/J, and C3H/HeJ mice using Micropolyspora faeni.
- Administered intratracheal injections of M. faeni and transferred immune cells (lymph node cells, peritoneal exudate cells, spleen cells) from sensitized donors.
- Challenged recipient mice with M. faeni or saline post-cell transfer.
Main Results:
- Developed a functional mouse model of EHP with dose-dependent pulmonary inflammation.
- Found no significant difference in inflammation extent across mouse strains with direct M. faeni challenge.
- Adoptive transfer of cultured immune cells, particularly peritoneal exudate cells and lymph node cells, induced EHP in C3H/HeJ mice.
Conclusions:
- Experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis (EHP) can be successfully modeled in mice.
- Adoptive transfer of specific immune cells is a viable method to induce EHP.
- Genetic background influences the susceptibility to adoptive transfer of EHP.
