HOUSE-DUST MITE-INDUCED SENSITIVITY IN MICE

Sensitivity induced by house dust mite (HDM) extract in mice was inves tigated in this study. Sensitized B10.RIII mice (H-2(r) background) ha d T-cell proliferative responses to HDM extract in vitro and an HDM-sp ecific IgE response. When mice were immunized by injection and intrana sal inhalation with HDM extract, a histologic study showed eosinophils and mononuclear cell infiltration in the lung tissue and bronchial wa ll. Tcr alpha beta-positive cells were also found in the cell infiltra tion area of the lung lesions. In the control mice that were immunized by injection or intranasal inhalation (but not both), we did not obse rve cell accumulation in the lung tissue or in the bronchial wall. Epi tope studies suggest that T cells recognize multiple epitopes. Molecul ar analysis of these HDM-specific T-cell hybridoma clones suggest that T-cell receptor use is restricted to members of the V alpha 8 and V b eta 6 subfamilies.