スギ花粉症マウスモデルの作製とその評価

(Abstract) Japanese cedar pollenosis is a type I allergic disease mediated by immunoglobulin E(IgE)antibodies.Here, we describe that a murine model of Japanese cedar　pollenosis displays Th2 dominance in the pattern of immunoglobulin class. Intraperitoneal immunization of BALB/c mice with alum adjuvant Cry j I induced variable levels of Cry j I-specific IgE antibodies as well as increased total IgE antibodies. The production of Cry j I-specific IgE antibodies was increasing with repeat immunization. The balance of Th1/Th2 responses is investigated in Cry j I-sensitized mice. The production of Cry j I-specific IgE antibodies did not synchronized to produce igG2a antibodies but igG1 antibodies against Cry j I. These results show that Cry j I-sensitized BALB/c mice may be promoted to a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance toward TH2 dominance similar to human pollenosis. Gender influence on specific IgE level is tested in the murine model. Serum total IgE levels before immunization were higher in female (24.0ng/ml) than in male (12.6ng/ml) of BALB/c mice at the age of 8 weeks (p<0.0005). Serum total IgE levels in male (60.4ng/ml) and female (76.4ng/ml) Cry j I-immunized mice increased with direct propotion to the basal IgE levels with gender difference (p<0.05). Cry j I-specific IgE levels in serum were higher in female than in male (p<0.05). There is no significant difference in serum IgG1 levels between male and female mice with or without immunization. These results show that female BALB/c mice may be more sensitive to induce IgE antibodies than male. Oral intake of water soluble fraction of Astragali Radix at dose of 170μg/kg/day was tend to attenuate the production of Cry j I-specific igE antibodies in the murine model although not decreased the production of both total IgE and IgG antibodies. The present study indicates that Cry j I-sensitized BALB/c mice may be useful for analysis of Japanese cedar pollenosis in characteristics such as production of specific IgE antibodies and TH2 dominance.