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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
Published on: May 14, 2012
Physiologic alterations in the murine model after nasal fungal antigenic exposure
Ayesha N Khalid1, Bradford A Woodworth, Anthony Prince
1Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Objective:
To determine whether a recently developed murine model of fungus-induced sinonasal inflammation demonstrated alterations in ciliary activity and expression of inflammatory cytokines.
Study Design:
A prospective randomized controlled study of rhinosinusitis after fungal antigenic sensitization was performed with intraperitoneal aspergillus antigen injection followed by intranasal antigen challenge for 4 weeks. Saline solution was used in a parallel fashion for control animals.
Subjects And Methods:
Six mice were used to validate the model. Additional 15 mice were used for ciliary beat frequency (CBF) analysis and cytokine expression with multiplex technology. Mean values for degree of inflammation, secretory hyperplasia, CBF, and cytokine expression were compared.
Results:
Histologic analyses demonstrated dense chronic inflammation in aspergillus-challenged animals versus sparse inflammatory cells in controls. Significant differences in mean of aspergillus-challenged versus control animals were observed in degree of inflammation (P < 0.01), secretory hyperplasia (P < 0.01), CBF (P < 0.00002), IL-1alpha (P < 0.0002), IL-1beta (P < 0.0003), IL-4 (P < 0.02), TNF-alpha (P < 0.02), and RANTES (P < 0.01).
Conclusion:
Alteration in baseline CBF accompanied by increased expression of specific inflammatory cytokines was observed in aspergillus-challenged mice.
Insights
A new mouse model shows that fungus exposure significantly impairs ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and increases inflammatory cytokines, offering insights into fungal rhinosinusitis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Otolaryngology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Fungal rhinosinusitis is a common condition with complex pathophysiology.
- Understanding the inflammatory mechanisms and their impact on sinonasal function is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel murine model for fungus-induced sinonasal inflammation.
- To assess the effects of fungal exposure on ciliary activity and inflammatory cytokine expression in this model.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized controlled study involved intranasal challenge with Aspergillus antigen in mice.
- Control groups received saline solution.
- Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and multiplex cytokine analysis were performed.
Main Results:
- Aspergillus-challenged mice exhibited dense chronic inflammation and secretory hyperplasia compared to controls.
- Significant reductions in CBF were observed in challenged mice (P < 0.00002).
- Elevated levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, TNF-α, and RANTES were detected in challenged animals.
Conclusions:
- The developed murine model effectively replicates fungus-induced sinonasal inflammation.
- Fungal exposure significantly alters ciliary function and upregulates key inflammatory mediators.
