A murine model of latex allergy-induced airway hyperreactivity

Sensitization to latex proteins can cause immediate IgE mast cell-mediated reactions. Health care workers have been found to be particularly at risk b ecause of high exposure. Latex allergy can be produced in mice as demonstra ted by IgE and eosinophil responses. Thus the mouse is a potential animal m odel for studying this disease, but the airway response to latex sensitizat ion in mice has not been evaluated previously. In the present study, we imm unized BALB/c mice intranasally with nonammoniated latex proteins. Animals were anesthetized, and lung mechanics were evaluated plethysmographically. Changes in pulmonary conductance (G(L)) and compliance (C-dyn) were measure d in response to a nonspecific challenge with methacholine or to a direct c hallenge with intravenous latex antigen. Latex sensitization resulted in el evated levels of IgE and latex-specific IgG(1) as well as interstitial infi ltrates consistent with an allergic response. The methacholine dose-respons e ED50 for G(L) was 116.4 mu g for the control mice and fell significantly to 20.9 mu g for latex-sensitized mice. The ED50 calculated for C-dyn was a lso significantly lower after latex sensitization. The G(L) in latex-sensit ized mice challenged with latex antigen fell significantly from a prechalle nge value of 1.87 +/- 0.41 (S.E.) to 0.198 +/- 0.03 ml.s(-1) cmH(2)O after latex antigen challenge. The results indicate that latex-sensitized mice di d exhibit increased airway reactivity in the methacholine challenge test. T he latex allergic response in mice is unique in that direct challenge with latex antigen itself also resulted in a significant airway response.