Allergic asthma induced in rhesus monkeys by house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae)

To establish whether allergic asthma could be induced experimentally in a n onhuman primate using a common human allergen, three female rhesus mon keys (Macaca mulatta) were sensitized with house dust mite (Dermatophagoides fa rinae) allergen (HDMA) by subcutaneous injection, followed by four intranas al sensitizations, and exposure to allergen aerosol 3 hours per day, 3 days per week for up to 13 weeks. Before aerosol challenge, all three monkeys s kin-tested positive for HDMA, During aerosol challenge with HDMA, sensitize d monkeys exhibited cough and rapid shallow breathing and increased airway resistance,which was reversed by albuterol aerosol treatment. Compared to n onsensitized monkeys, there was a fourfold reduction in the dose of histami ne aerosol necessary to produce a 150% increase in airway resistance in sen sitized monkeys, After aerosol challenge, serum levels of histamine were el evated in sensitized monkeys, Sensitized monkeys exhibited increased levels of HDMA-specific IgE in serum, numbers of eosinophils and exfoliated cells within lavage, and elevated CD25 expression on circulating CD4(+) lymphocy tes, Intrapulmonary bronchi of sensitized monkeys had focal mucus tell hype rplasia, interstitial infiltrates of eosinophils, and thickening of the bas ement membrane zone, We conclude that a model of allergic asthma can be ind uced in rhesus monkeys using a protocol consisting of subcutaneous injectio n, intranasal instillation, and aerosol challenge with HDMA.