LATEX ANTIGENS INDUCE IGE AND EOSINOPHILS IN MICE

Hypersensitivity to latex proteins has been reported with increasing f requency in recent years. Elevated levels of latex specific IgE have b een detected in the majority of these patients. Severe anaphylaxis and death resulting from latex exposure has also been reported. Neverthel ess, the immune mechanism of latex allergy is not fully understood. In this report, we describe a model of latex allergy developed in mice e xposed to latex proteins. Animals exposed to latex proteins demonstrat ed enhanced levels of total IgE, peripheral blood and lung eosinophili a, and elevated levels of serum IL-4 and IL-5. mRNA transcripts of IL- 4 and IL-5, but not IFN-gamma, could be demonstrated in spleen lymphoc ytes. Antibodies to latex belonging to all IgG subclasses were detecte d in the sera of mice exposed to latex antigens. The histology of the lung showed non-necrotizing granulomas and extensive interstitial chro nic inflammatory infiltrates, particularly around bronchioles and smal l blood vessels. Although this model of latex allergy demonstrates a h eterogeneous immunological response, the CD4-positive Th-2 cell-mediat ed response predominated.