Rapid SCIT for induction of HSE allergy in murine asthma model
The SCIT model for Humulus pollen allergy was developed on the
basis of the asthma model established as shown in Fig. 1A, and in
combination with methods described by Leonie et
al.[18]. The detailed process was as
follows (Fig. 1B): 30 BALB/c mice aged 6–8 weeks were randomly divided
into control, vehicle, and treatment groups (10 mice per group). Mice in
the vehicle and treatment groups were sensitized by SC injection with 25
µg of HSE adsorbed to alum adjuvant on days 1, 8, and 15; they were then
challenged with atomized HSE on days 21–23 to induce symptoms. SCIT was
started on day 25, comprising eight treatments every other day. In the
treatment group, mice received an SC injection of 300 µg of HSE (2
μg/μL, 150 μL) into the neck. Mice in the vehicle group received an SC
injection of 150 μL of PBS. To investigate the effectiveness of SCIT,
mice in the vehicle and treatment groups were re-challenged with an HSE
aerosol on days 43–49. In parallel, control mice received saline,
rather than HSE, at all steps. On day 50, AHR to Mch was assessed in all
animals. One day later, all mice were sacrificed. Sera were obtained for
measurement of specific IgE levels and specific IgG2a levels; other
samples for analysis were harvested as described above.