Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026
Assessment of Respiratory Function in Conscious Mice by Double-chamber Plethysmography
Published on: July 10, 2018
A comparison of the allergic responses induced by Penicillium chrysogenum and house dust mite extracts in a mouse
M D W Ward1, Y J Chung, L B Copeland
1National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA. ward.marsha@epa.gov
Unlabelled:
A report by the Institute of Medicine suggested that more research is needed to better understand mold effects on allergic disease, particularly asthma development. We compared the ability of the fungal Penicillium chrysogenum (PCE) and house dust mite (HDM) extracts to induce allergic responses in BALB/c mice. The extracts were administered by intratracheal aspiration (IA) at several doses (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μg) four times over a 4-week period. Three days after the last IA exposure, serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected. The relative allergenicity of the extracts was evaluated based on the lowest dose able to induce a significant response compared to control (0 μg) and the robustness of the response. PCE induced the most robust response at the lowest dose for most endpoints examined: BALF total, macrophage, neutrophil, and eosinophil cell counts, and antigen-specific IgE. Taken together, our data suggest that PCE may induce a more robust allergic and inflammatory response at lower doses than HDM.
Practical Implications:
Our data suggest that Penicillium chrysogenum is a robust allergen and may be a more potent allergen source than house dust mite (HDM) in this mouse model. Two critical factors in the development of human allergic disease, exposure levels and sensitization thresholds, are unknown for most allergens including molds/fungi. Human exposure levels are not within the scope of this article. However, the data presented suggest a threshold dose for the induction of allergic responsiveness to P. chrysogenum. Additionally, P. chrysogenum as well as other molds may play an important role in asthma development in our society.
Insights
Penicillium chrysogenum (PCE) may be a more potent mold allergen than house dust mite (HDM) in mice, potentially playing a significant role in asthma development.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Environmental Health
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Mold exposure is linked to allergic diseases, including asthma.
- Further research is needed to understand mold's impact on allergic disease development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the allergenicity of Penicillium chrysogenum (PCE) and house dust mite (HDM) extracts.
- To evaluate their ability to induce allergic responses in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice were exposed to varying doses of PCE and HDM extracts via intratracheal aspiration over 4 weeks.
- Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for analysis.
- Allergenicity was assessed by the lowest effective dose and response robustness.
Main Results:
- PCE induced a more robust allergic and inflammatory response than HDM at lower doses.
- Significant increases in BALF cell counts (macrophage, neutrophil, eosinophil) and antigen-specific IgE were observed with PCE.
- A dose threshold for PCE-induced allergic responsiveness was identified.
Conclusions:
- Penicillium chrysogenum demonstrates potent allergenicity in this mouse model, potentially exceeding that of HDM.
- Molds like P. chrysogenum may be significant contributors to asthma development.
- Understanding allergen exposure levels and sensitization thresholds is crucial for managing allergic diseases.
