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Measurement of exposure to mouse urinary proteins in an epidemiological study
S Gordon1, L A Kiernan, M J Nieuwenhuijsen
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, London.
Objectives:
To develop an assay to measure airborne mouse urinary protein (MUP) and to assess the occupational exposure to MUP in the workforce of three establishments as part of an epidemiological study examining the influence of aeroallergen exposure on the development of allergic respiratory disease.
Methods:
Personal air samples were collected from nine exposure groups during a workshift. A sensitive and reproducible competitive inhibition assay, which used rabbit antisera specific for MUP, was developed and used to measure the occupational exposure to MUP.
Results:
The personal measurements of MUP showed that people with direct contact with mice (animal technicians) had the highest exposure followed in decreasing order by those working with anaesthetised animals or their tissue (postmortem workers and scientists) and those with indirect contact with mice (supervisors, office workers, and slide production workers). The only difference in concentrations of MUP between the three establishments were found for cage cleaners, which reflected differences in working practises for this exposure category. Air samples collected during the performance of specific tasks showed that high exposures to MUP were associated with handling mice, indirect contact with mice, and washing floors.
Conclusions:
Exposure to mouse urinary proteins has been measured in the occupational environment. This information can be used to determine the relation between exposure to MUP and the development of allergic and respiratory disease.
Insights
Occupational exposure to mouse urinary proteins (MUP) was measured using a new assay. Animal technicians had the highest MUP exposure, informing future studies on allergic respiratory disease.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Allergen Exposure
- Immunology
Background:
- Mouse urinary proteins (MUP) are known aeroallergens.
- Occupational exposure to MUP can contribute to allergic respiratory diseases.
- Quantifying MUP exposure is crucial for epidemiological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop a sensitive assay for airborne mouse urinary protein (MUP).
- Assess occupational MUP exposure in three different establishments.
- Investigate the link between MUP exposure and allergic respiratory disease development.
Main Methods:
- Personal air sampling during work shifts across nine exposure groups.
- Development of a competitive inhibition assay using rabbit anti-MUP antisera.
- Measurement of MUP concentrations in collected air samples.
Main Results:
- Highest MUP exposure observed in animal technicians with direct mouse contact.
- Decreasing exposure levels found in postmortem workers, scientists, supervisors, office workers, and slide production workers.
- Task-specific analysis revealed high MUP exposure during mouse handling, indirect contact, and floor washing.
Conclusions:
- A reliable method for measuring airborne MUP in occupational settings was established.
- Quantified MUP exposure levels provide data for epidemiological research.
- This data can help determine the relationship between MUP exposure and allergic/respiratory diseases.