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Updated: May 25, 2026

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Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
Published on: May 14, 2012
Desensitizing mice to ovalbumin through subcutaneous microsphere immunotherapy (SMITH)
William R Reisacher1, Dara Liotta, Sara Yazdi
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA. wir2011@med.cornell.edu
International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology
|January 31, 2012
Summary
Subcutaneous microsphere immunotherapy using ovalbumin-loaded PLGA microspheres effectively down-regulated IgE in a mouse allergy model. This effect was observed regardless of the dose, suggesting potential for treating IgE-mediated allergic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Investigated subcutaneous ovalbumin (OVA)-loaded poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres for down-regulating T helper 2 (TH2) responses.
- Examined dose-dependency of this immunomodulatory effect in sensitized mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if PLGA microspheres loaded with OVA can reduce TH2 response in mice sensitized to OVA.
- To assess if the observed effect is dose-dependent.
Main Methods:
- PLGA microspheres prepared via double emulsion technique.
- BALB/c mice sensitized to OVA and treated with blank, low-dose, or high-dose OVA-loaded microspheres.
- Antigen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels measured at multiple time points.
Main Results:
- All mice successfully sensitized to OVA.
- Blank microspheres showed a significant rise in IgE.
- OVA-loaded microspheres showed a transient drop in IgE, but overall effect was not dose-dependent.
Conclusions:
- Subcutaneous microsphere immunotherapy (SMITH) can downregulate antigen-specific IgE in a food allergy model.
- The observed downregulation of IgE was not dose-dependent.
- SMITH shows potential for treating IgE-mediated allergic diseases, warranting further research.

