Establishment and characterization of an experimental mouse model of allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common worldwide disease. Animal studies on AR were adopted in various investigations. However, animal studies simply aimed at establishing an animal model for AR have been seldom seen. The purpose of this study was to introduce an easy-to-establish experimental mouse model of AR. To develop a mouse model of AR, 38 Balb/c mice were randomly assigned to two groups. Mice in the study group were sensitized by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of ovalbumin (OVA) on day 1 and 6, followed by continuous inhalation (IH) of OVA solution for 1 week (day 8-14) using a newly designed inhalation box. The control group mice received sensitization of IP normal saline and IH sterilized distilled water instead of OVA. Before and after sensitization, the frequencies of nasal symptoms (sneezing, nasal rubbing) were recorded and the serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) were evaluated using ELISA. Finally, the murine nasal mucosal tissues were stained by Giemsa solution to estimate the degree of mast cell infiltration. After sensitization by IP and IH OVA, the study group showed significant phenotypic changes including increased sneezing and rubbing. Pathological and cytological findings also confirmed significant elevated serum total IgE titer and local mast cell infiltration in the study group statistically. We successfully developed a workable experimental animal model for AR that was more easily sensitized using our new-designed inhalation box, with less stress and more precisely to be observed.