Induction of long-lived allergen-specific plasma cells by mucosal allergen challenge

Elke O Luger, Verena Fokuhl, Michael Wegmann, Melanie Abram, Kati Tillack, Gernot Achatz, Rudolf A Manz, Margitta Worm, Andreas Radbruch, Harald Renz

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific IgE antibodies are responsible for the pathogenesis of type I hypersensitivity. In patients with allergy, IgE titers can persist in the apparent absence of allergen for years. Seasonal allergen exposure triggers clinical symptoms and enhances allergen-specific IgE. Whether allergen-specific plasma cells originating from seasonal allergen exposures can survive and become long-lived is so far unclear.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the localization and lifetimes of allergen-specific IgE-secreting, IgA-secreting, and IgG(1)-secreting plasma cells after allergen inhalation in an ovalbumin-induced murine model of allergic asthma.

METHODS: Ovalbumin-specific IgG(1)-secreting, IgA-secreting, and IgE-secreting cells in lungs, spleen, and bone marrow were isolated and tested for antibody secretion by the ELISpot technique. Longevity of ovalbumin-specific plasma cells was determined by cyclophosphamide treatment, which depletes proliferating plasmablasts but leaves plasma cells untouched. Ovalbumin aerosol-induced infiltrates in lungs were localized by confocal microscopy.

RESULTS: Long-lived ovalbumin-specific plasma cells were generated by systemic sensitization and survived in bone marrow and spleen, maintaining systemic ovalbumin-specific titers of IgG, IgA, and IgE. On inhalation of ovalbumin-containing aerosol, sensitized mice developed airway inflammation and more ovalbumin-specific IgG(1)-secreting, IgA-secreting, and IgE-secreting cells in the lungs and in secondary lymphoid organs. These plasma cells joined the pool of ovalbumin-specific plasma cells in the bone marrow and became long-lived-that is, they are resistant to cyclophosphamide. Termination of ovalbumin inhalation depleted ovalbumin-specific plasma cells from the lungs, but they persisted in spleen and bone marrow.

CONCLUSION: Our results show that inhalation of aerosolized allergen generates long-lived, allergen-specific IgG(1)-secreting, IgA-secreting, and IgE-secreting plasma cells that survive cytostatic treatment.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume124
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)819-26.e4
ISSN0091-6749
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

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