OVA-Induced Allergic Asthma

Description

BioModels offers a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA) induced allergic asthma. In the acute model, mice are sensitized with an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of OVA and adjuvant and then challenged with intranasal delivery of OVA followed by collections on day 16. Chronic versions of this model run from 4-12 weeks. The OVA model recapitulates many of the hallmarks of allergic asthma in humans, including elevated IgE and Th2 related cytokines, mucus hypersecretion, airway inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, epithelial hypertrophy, and airway hyperreactivity. Endpoints in this model include total and differential cell counts and inflammatory mediator content in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid, airway hyperreactivity and detailed lung mechanics, as well as histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

Model Systems
  • BALB/c Mice
Standard Readouts
  • Percent weight change
  • BAL total and differential cell counts
  • Lung mechanics and airway hypersensitivity
  • Terminal histopathology and/or IHC analyses
Additional Readouts
  • BAL fluid and lung cytokines
  • Serum immunoglobulins
  • Peripheral lymphoid organ immunophenotyping
  • Lung immunophenotyping
  • Custom assays
Representative DataClick Image to Enlarge
Acute Allergic Asthma Induction Protocol in BALB/c mice with OVA + Adjuvant

BALB/c mice are sensitized with an IP injection of OVA with adjuvant on days 0 and 7. Mice are then challenged with OVA intranasally on days 13, 14, and 15 and endpoints are assessed on day 16. Reference treatment animals receive 3 mg/kg dexamethasone 1 hour prior to the challenges.

BAL Total and Differential Cell Counts in OVA-induced Acute Allergic Asthma

Total cells and eosinophils recover in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid on day 16 of an OVA-induced acute allergic asthma model. Mice demonstrate a dose responsive increase in total cells and eosinophils. Dexamethasone lower total inflammatory cell counts and eosinophils in the BAL fluid.

Airway Hyperresponsiveness in OVA-induced Acute Allergic Asthma

Lung Resistance and Elastance is measured on day 16 of an OVA-induced acute allergic asthma model, following exposure to increasing doses of methacholine. Animals that are sensitized and challenged with OVA displayed increased lung resistance and elastance parameters in comparison to Naïve animals. 3 mg/kg Dexamethasone treatment reduced airway hyperreactivity in diseased animals.

Lung Histopathology in OVA-induced Acute Allergic Asthma

H&E-stained lung sections from naïve mice and mice from an OVA-induced acute allergic asthma model with and without 3 mg/kg dexamethasone treatment. The infiltration of mixed inflammatory cells observed in diseased animals is decreased in animals treated with 3 mg/kg dexamethasone.

Daniel Lichtman

Managing Partner