O3-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to noncholinergic system and other stimuli

Increased CCL24/eotaxin-2 with postnatal ozone exposure in allergen-sensitized infant monkeys is not associated with recruitment of eosinophils to airway mucosa

Epidemiology supports a causal link between air pollutant exposure and childhood asthma, but the mechanisms are unknown. We have previously reported that ozone exposure can alter the anatomic distribution of CD25+ lymphocytes in airways of allergen-sensitized infant rhesus monkeys. Here, we hypothesized that ozone may also affect eosinophil trafficking to allergen-sensitized infant airways. To test this hypothesis, we measured blood, lavage, and airway mucosa eosinophils in 3-month old monkeys following cyclical ozone and house dust mite (HDM) aerosol exposures. We also determined if eotaxin family members (CCL11, CCL24, CCL26) are associated with eosinophil location in response to exposures. In lavage, eosinophil numbers increased in animals exposed to ozone and/or HDM. Ozone+HDM animals showed significantly increased CCL24 and CCL26 protein in lavage, but the concentration of CCL11, CCL24, and CCL26 was independent of eosinophil number for all exposure groups. In airway mucosa, eosinophils increased with exposure to HDM alone; comparatively, ozone and ozone+HDM resulted in reduced eosinophils. CCL26 mRNA and immunofluorescence staining increased in airway mucosa of HDM alone animals and correlated with eosinophil volume. In ozone+HDM animal groups, CCL24 mRNA and immunofluorescence increased along with CCR3 mRNA, but did not correlate with airway mucosa eosinophils. Cumulatively, our data indicate that ozone exposure results in a profile of airway eosinophil migration that is distinct from HDM mediated pathways. CCL24 was found to be induced only by combined ozone and HDM exposure, however expression was not associated with the presence of eosinophils within the airway mucosa.

Role of 5-HT2A, 5-HT4 and 5-HT7 receptors in the antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea-pigs

BACKGROUND

A possible role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the origin of antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AI-AHR) has been scarcely investigated.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the participation of different 5-HT receptors in the development of AI-AHR in guinea-pigs.

METHODS

Lung resistance was measured in anaesthetized guinea-pigs sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA). Dose-response curves to intravenous (i.v.) acetylcholine (ACh) were performed before and 1 h after antigenic challenge and expressed as the 200% provocative dose (PD(200)). Organ bath experiments, confocal microscopy and RT-PCR were additionally used. The 5-HT content in lung homogenates was measured by HPLC.

RESULTS

Antigenic challenge significantly decreased PD(200), indicating the development of AI-AHR. This hyperresponsiveness was abolished by a combination of methiothepin (5-HT(1)/5-HT(2)/5-HT(5)/5-HT(6)/5-HT(7) receptors antagonist) and tropisetron (5-HT(3)/5-HT(4) antagonist). Other 5-HT receptor antagonists showed three different patterns of response. Firstly, WAY100135 (5-HT(1A) antagonist) and ondansetron (5-HT(3) antagonist) did not modify the AI-AHR. Secondly, SB269970 (5-HT(7) antagonist), GR113808 (5-HT(4) antagonist), tropisetron or methiothepin abolished the AI-AHR. Thirdly, ketanserin (5-HT(2A) antagonist) produced airway hyporresponsiveness. Animals with bilateral vagotomy did not develop AI-AHR. Experiments in tracheal rings showed that pre-incubation with LP44 or cisapride (agonists of 5-HT(7) and 5-HT(4) receptors, respectively) induced a significant increase of the cholinergic contractile response to the electrical field stimulation. In sensitized lung parenchyma strips, ketanserin diminished the contractile responses to ACh. Sensitization was associated with a ninefold increase in the 5-HT content of lung homogenates. Confocal microscopy showed that sensitization enhanced the immunolabelling and co-localization of nicotinic receptor and 5-HT in airway epithelium, probably located in pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs). RT-PCR demonstrated that neither sensitization nor antigen challenge modified the 5-HT(2A) receptor mRNA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that 5-HT was involved in the development of AI-AHR to ACh in guinea-pigs. Specifically, 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(4) and 5-HT(7) receptors seem to be particularly involved in this phenomenon. Participation of 5-HT might probably be favoured by the enhancement of the PNECs 5-HT content observed after sensitization.

Ozone-induced Nasal Hyperresponsiveness to Tachykinins in Guinea Pigs

Objective

To assess role of hydroxyl radials in the ozone-induced upper airway hyperresponsiveness to tachykinins.

Methods

A prospective, controlled, animal model (n = 96) was performed. Half of them exposed to air (A-group, placebo) and the other half exposed to 3 ppm ozone (O-group) for 2 h. Two hours post air/ozone exposure, animals were anesthetized and equally randomized to be pretreated with one of the three treatments, including saline vehicle, dimethylthiourea (DMTU; 500 mg/kg m, a hydroxyl radical scavenger), or phosphoramidon (Phos; 2 μg/kg, an inhibitor for neutral endopeptidase). Ten minutes after pretreatment, half of the animals in each group were i.v. injected with capsaicin (2 μg/kg), and the other half were i.v. injected with substance P (10 μg/kg) to produce Evans blue dye extravasation.

Results

Nasal exudative response to capsaicin or substance P in O-group was found to be significantly greater than that in A-group. This ozone-induced nasal airway hyperresponsiveness was largely prevented by DMTU. Phosphoramidon produced a similar nasal airway hyperresponsiveness in the A-group, but failed to alter ozone-induced nasal airway hyperresponsiveness in O-group. In sharp contrast, only substance P, but not capsaicin, produced a laryngeal exudative response in the A-group, which was similar to that in the O-group. The laryngeal exudative response to substance P was not significantly affected by DMTU or Phos.

Conculsion

In the guinea-pig model, hydroxyl radicals play a vital role in the development of ozone-induced nasal airway hyperresponsiveness to tachykinins. It is possibly mediated through the suppressive action of ozone on the tachykinin degradation.

Differences between inhaled and intravenous bronchial challenge to detect O(3)-induced hyperresponsiveness

Ozone (O(3))-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in laboratory animals is usually demonstrated through dose-response curves with inhaled or intravenous bronchoconstrictor agonists. However, comparability of these two routes has not been well documented. Thus guinea pig airway responsiveness to ACh and histamine was evaluated 16-18 h after O(3) (3 parts/million, 1 h) or air exposure by two plethysmographic methods (spontaneously breathing and mechanically ventilated) and by two administration routes (inhalatory or intravenous). We found that O(3) caused airway hyperresponsiveness to intravenous, but not to inhaled, agonists, independent of the plethysmographic method used. Suitability of the inhalatory route to detect airway hyperresponsiveness was corroborated with inhaled ACh after an antigen challenge or extending O(3) exposure to 3 h. Acetylcholinesterase activity was not modified after O(3) exposure in lung homogenates and blood samples. Thus inhaled agonists were less effective to reveal the airway hyperresponsiveness after an acute O(3) exposure than intravenous ones, at least for the 1-h exposure to 3 parts/million, and this difference seems not to be related to an O(3)-induced inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase activity.

Role of intrinsic airway neurons in ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in ferret trachea

Exposure to ozone (O(3)) enhances airway responsiveness, which is mediated partly by the release of substance P (SP) from airway neurons. In this study, the role of intrinsic airway neurons in O(3)-induced airway responses was examined. Ferrets were exposed to 2 ppm O(3) or air for 1 h. Reactivity of isolated tracheal smooth muscle to cholinergic agonists was significantly increased after O(3) exposure, as were contractions to electrical field stimulation at 10 Hz. Pretreatment with CP-99994, a neurokinin type 1 receptor antagonist, partially abolished the O(3)-induced reactivity to cholinergic agonists and electrical field stimulation. The O(3)-enhanced airway responses were present in tracheal segments cultured for 24 h, a procedure shown to deplete sensory nerves while maintaining viability of intrinsic airway neurons, and all the enhanced smooth muscle responses were also diminished by CP-99994. Immunocytochemistry showed that the percentage of SP-containing neurons in longitudinal trunk and the percentage of neurons innervated by SP-positive nerve fibers in superficial muscular plexus were significantly increased at 1 h after exposure to O(3). These results suggest that enhanced SP levels in airway ganglia contribute to O(3)-induced airway hyperresponsiveness.

Inflammatory effect of intratracheal instillation of ultrafine particles in the rabbit: role of C-fiber and mast cells

The effects of ultrafine polystyrene carboxylate-modified (fluorospheres) on inflammatory processes are being investigated in rabbit lungs. One milliliter of sterile NaCl (0.9%) containing 4 mg of ultrafine particles (UFP) was intratracheally instilled into anesthetized rabbits. The control animals were only instilled with sterile NaCl (0.9%). Twenty hours after being instilled, the rabbits were killed and their lungs were excised and then tracheally perfused with phosphate-buffered physiological solution (PBS). The lung effluents, collected from small holes made in the pleura, were analyzed for substance P (SP) and histamine content by radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods, after administration of drugs. In addition, in other groups of rabbits, the lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio was monitored, as were the cellular and protein contents in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Electron microscopy examination was also performed. In tracheally superfused experiments, UFP induced a significant enhancement of both SP and histamine releases after administration of capsaicin (10(-4) M), to stimulate C-fiber, and carbachol (10(-4) M), a cholinergic agonist. A significant increase in histamine release was also recorded in the UFP-instilled group following the administration of both SP (10(-6) M) plus thiorphan (10(-5) M) and compound 48/80 (C48/80) (10(-3) M) to stimulate mast cells. In addition, the BAL fluid analysis of UFP groups showed an influx of neutrophils and an increase in total protein concentration. An increase in the lung WW/DW ratio was also recorded. Both epithelial and endothelial injuries were observed in the lungs of UFP-instilled rabbits. The pretreatment of rabbits in vivo with a mixture of either SR 140333 and SR 48368, a tachykinin NK(1) and NK(2) receptor antagonist, or a mixture of terfenadine and cimetidine, a histamine H(1) and H(2) receptor antagonist, prevented UFP- induced neutrophil influx and increased total proteins and lung WW/DW ratio. Therefore, it can be concluded that chemicaly inert, electrically charged UFP induce a pulmonary inflammatory process during which the release of SP and histamine from C-fibers and mast cells was enhanced after various stimuli. These latter mediators can also modulate the inflammatory process.

Mast cell activation is not required for induction of airway hyperresponsiveness by ozone in mice

Exposure to ambient ozone (O3) is associated with increased exacerbations of asthma. We sought to determine whether mast cell degranulation is induced by in vivo exposure to O3 in mice and whether mast cells play an essential role in the development of pulmonary pathophysiological alterations induced by O3. For this we exposed mast cell-deficient WBB6F1-kitW/kitW-v (kitW/kitW-v) mice and the congenic normal WBB6F1 (+/+) mice to air or to 1 or 3 parts/million O3 for 4 h and studied them at different intervals from 4 to 72 h later. We found evidence of O3-induced cutaneous, as well as bronchial, mast cell degranulation. Polymorphonuclear cell influx into the pulmonary parenchyma was observed after exposure to 1 part/milllion O3 only in mice that possessed mast cells. Airway hyperresponsiveness to intravenous methacholine measured in vivo under pentobarbital anesthesia was observed in both kitW/kitW-v and +/+ mice after exposure to O3. Thus, although mast cells are activated in vivo by O3 and participate in O3-induced polymorphonuclear cell infiltration into the pulmonary parenchyma, they do not participate detectably in the development of O3-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in mice.

Ozone enhances excitabilities of pulmonary C fibers to chemical and mechanical stimuli in anesthetized rats

Acute exposure to ozone (O3) enhances pulmonary chemoreflex response to capsaicin, and an increased sensitivity of bronchopulmonary C-fiber afferent endings may be involved. The present study was aimed at determining the effect of O3 on the responses of pulmonary C fibers to chemical and mechanical stimuli. A total of 31 C fibers were studied in anesthetized, open-chest, and vagotomized rats. During control, right atrial injection of a low dose of capsaicin abruptly evoked a short and mild burst of discharge [0.77 +/- 0.28 impulses (imp)/s, 2-s average]. After acute exposure to O3 (3 parts/million for 30 min), there was no significant change in arterial blood pressure, tracheal pressure, or baseline activity of C fibers. However, the stimulatory effect of the same dose of capsaicin on these fibers was markedly enhanced (6.05 +/- 0.88 impulses/s; P < 0.01) and prolonged immediately after O3 exposure, and returned toward control in 54 +/- 6 min. Similarly, the pulmonary C-fiber response to injection of a low dose of lactic acid was also elevated after O3 exposure. Furthermore, O3 exposure significantly potentiated the C-fiber response to constant-pressure (tracheal pressure = 30 cmH2O) lung inflation (control: 0.19 +/- 0.07 imp/s; after O3: 1.12 +/- 0.26 imp/s; P < 0.01). In summary, these results show that the excitabilities of pulmonary C-fiber afferents to lung inflation and injections of chemical stimulants are markedly potentiated after acute exposure to O3, suggesting a possible involvement of these afferents in the O3-induced changes in breathing pattern and chest discomfort in humans.

Chronic exposure to ozone causes tolerance to airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs: lack of SOD role

Tolerance to respiratory effects of O3 has been demonstrated for anatomic and functional changes, but information about tolerance to O3-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is scarce. In guinea pigs exposed to air or O3 (0.3 parts/million, 4 h/day, for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 days, studied 16-18 h later), pulmonary insufflation pressure changes induced by intravenous substance P (SP, 0.032-3.2 micro ug/kg) were measured, then the animals were subjected to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Bronchial rings with or without phosphoramidon were also evaluated 3 h after air or a single O3 exposure. O3 caused in vivo AHR (increased sensitivity) to SP after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 days of exposure compared with control. However, after 48 days of exposure, O3 no longer caused AHR. Total cell, macrophage, neutrophil, and eosinophil counts in BAL were increased in most O3-exposed groups. When data from all animals were pooled, we found a highly significant correlation between degree of airway responsiveness and total cells (r = 0.55), macrophages (r = 0.54), neutrophils (r = 0.47), and eosinophils (r = 0.53), suggesting that airway inflammation is involved in development of AHR to SP. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in BAL fluids were increased (P < 0.05) after 1, 3, 6, and 12 days of O3 exposure and returned to basal levels after 24 and 48 days of exposure. O3 failed to induce hyperresponsiveness to SP in bronchial rings, and phosphoramidon increased responses to SP in air- and O3-exposed groups, suggesting that neutral endopeptidase inactivation was not involved in O3-induced AHR to SP in vivo. We conclude that chronic exposure to 0. 3 ppm O3, a concentration found in highly polluted cities, resulted in tolerance to AHR to SP in guinea pigs by an SOD-independent mechanism.

Comparison of ozone-induced effects on lung mechanics and hemodynamics in the rabbit

The effects of rabbit exposure to ozone (O3)(0.4 ppm for 4 h) on pulmonary mechanical properties and hemodynamics have been investigated on the isolated perfused lung model. Tracheal pressure, airflow, and tidal volume were measured in order to calculate lung resistance (RL) and dynamic compliance (Cdyn). Using the arterial/venous/double occlusion method, the total pressure gradient (deltaPT) was partitioned into four components (arterial, pre-, postcapillary and venous). Dose-response curves to acetylcholine (ACh), substance P (SP), and histamine were constructed in lungs isolated from rabbits immediately or 48 h after air or O3 exposure O3 induced a significant increase in the baseline value of deltaPt, more markedly 48 h after the exposure. Immediately after the exposure, O3 partly inhibited the ACh-, SP-, and histamine-induced decreases in Cdyn and increases in RL. This inhibitory effect was still in part present 48 h after O3 treatment. In the groups studied immediately after exposure, O3 did not significantly modify the ACh-, SP-, and histamine-induced vasoconstriction. Forty-eight hours after exposure, O3 induced a contractile response to ACh and SP in the arterial segment but decreased the response to histamine. We conclude that O3 can induce direct vascular constriction. Directly, but also 48 h after exposure, O3 can inhibit the ACh-, SP-, and histamine-induced changes in lung mechanical properties. Ozone can also induce some changes in the intensity and in the location of the vascular responses to ACh, SP, and histamine.

Effect of different ozone concentrations on the neurogenic contraction and relaxation of guinea pig airways

Prejunctional and postjunctional effects of several ozone (O3) concentrations, including those found in highly polluted cities, were evaluated in guinea pig airways. Animals bred in O3-free conditions were exposed to air or O3 (0.3, 0.6 or 1.2 ppm) during 4 h, and studied 16-18 h later. Tracheal and bronchial rings were studied in organ baths. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) (100 V, 2 ms, 10 s) was given at increasing frequencies (0.25-16 Hz). Some tissues received atropine (2 microM) and/or propranolol (10 microM). Concentration-response curves to carbachol, isoproterenol, nitroprusside, and substance P were constructed. In tracheas, almost all O3 concentrations decreased the relaxation at low EFS frequencies, but had no effect on the propranolol-resistant (i-NANC) relaxation, suggesting that only adrenergic relaxation was affected. This was a prejunctional effect, since O3 did not modify the responses to isoproterenol. Relaxation induced by a nitric oxide (NO) donor, nitroprusside, was not affected by O3, which agrees with the lack of O3-effect on i-NANC system. O3 did not modify the EFS-induced e-NANC contraction in atropine-treated bronchi, nor the contraction caused by exogenous substance P. By contrast, in bronchi without atropine, 1.2 ppm O3 increased the e-NANC contraction induced by the highest EFS (16 Hz). O3 increased the maximum responses to carbachol in tracheas (1.2 ppm) and bronchi (0.6 and 1.2 ppm). In conclusion, we found that: a) O3 decreased adrenergic relaxation in guinea pig tracheas at low EFS frequencies through a prejunctional alteration; b) O3 did not modify the i-NANC relaxation in tracheas, at least the NO-mediated; c) O3 added a cholinergic component to the bronchial slow-phase (e-NANC) contraction evoked by EFS; and d) O3 enhanced the cholinergic responses in trachea and bronchi by a postjunctional mechanism.

The role of prostanoids in ozone-induced changes in airway responsiveness: receptor activation-specific prostanoid release

We studied the effect of in vivo ozone exposure (3 ppm, 2 h) on methacholine- and histamine-induced guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle contractions in vitro and the role of cyclooxygenase products in this process. After exposure to ozone, methacholine stimulation showed a functional hyperreactivity, whereas after stimulation with histamine a hyporeactivity was observed. These effects could be explained by the release of prostanoids. In a control situation an increase in PGF(2α), PGE(2) and PGD(2) release is observed after stimulation of the histaminergic receptor system. After ozone exposure the release of prostanoids was also enhanced (unstimulated, PGF(2α) and TxB(2); histamine, PGF(2α), PGE(2); methacholine, PGF(2α), TxB(2), 6-kPGF(1α), PGE(2)). This study shows that the prostanoid release is strongly dependent on the receptor system stimulated to induce smooth muscle contraction and the importance of prostanoids in ozone-induced changes in guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle reactivity.

Ozone-induced stimulation of pulmonary sympathetic fibers: a protective mechanism against edema

Tropospheric ozone exerts well-described toxic effects on the respiratory tract. Less documented, by contrast, is the ability of ozone to induce protective mechanisms against agents that are toxic to the lungs. In particular, interactions between ozone and the sympathetic nervous system have never been considered. Using a model of permeability edema in isolated perfused rabbit lungs, we report here that, immediately after exposure of rabbits to 0.4 ppm ozone for 4 hr, the pulmonary microvascular responses to acetylcholine and substance P are completely blocked. Several lines of evidence, including partial inhibition of the ozone-induced protective effect by several drugs (alpha2- and beta-adrenergic antagonists, neuropeptide Y antagonist, guanethidine), measured levels of released catecholamines in blood and urine and the in vitro response of isolated lungs exposed to 0.4 ppm ozone all seem to suggest that ozone can stimulate pulmonary adrenergic fibers and induce the local release of catecholamines and neuropeptide Y, this resulting in transient protection against pulmonary edema. We also showed that, 48 hr after the exposure, ozone increased the baseline microvascular permeability and the response to low concentrations of acetylcholine.

Role of tachykinins in ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to cigarette smoke in guinea pigs

Acute exposure to ozone (O3) induces airway hyperresponsiveness to various inhaled bronchoactive substances. Inhalation of cigarette smoke, a common inhaled irritant in humans, is known to evoke a transient bronchoconstrictive effect. To examine whether O3 increases airway responsiveness to cigarette smoke, effects of smoke inhalation challenge on total pulmonary resistance (RL) and dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) were compared before and after exposure to O3 (1.5 ppm, 1 h) in anesthetized guinea pigs. Before O3 exposure, inhalation of two breaths of cigarette smoke (7 ml) at a low concentration (33%) induced a mild and reproducible bronchoconstriction that slowly developed and reached its peak (DeltaRL = 67 +/- 19%, DeltaCdyn = -29 +/- 6%) after a delay of >1 min. After exposure to O3 the same cigarette smoke inhalation challenge evoked an intense bronchoconstriction that occurred more rapidly, reaching its peak (DeltaRL = 620 +/- 224%, DeltaCdyn = -35 +/- 7%) within 20 s, and was sustained for >2 min. By contrast, sham exposure to room air did not alter the bronchomotor response to cigarette smoke challenge. Pretreatment with CP-99994 and SR-48968, the selective antagonists of neurokinin type 1 and 2 receptors, respectively, completely blocked the enhanced responses of RL and Cdyn to cigarette smoke challenge induced by O3. These results show that O3 exposure induces airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled cigarette smoke and that the enhanced responses result primarily from the bronchoconstrictive effect of endogenous tachykinins.

Ozone at high-pollution urban levels causes airway hyperresponsiveness to substance P but not to other agonists

Ozone (O(3)) causes airway hyperresponsiveness, but few studies have evaluated this effect at urban concentrations. In this work dose-response curves to intravenous acetylcholine, histamine or substance P were performed in guinea pigs with or without previous exposure to O(3) (0.15, 0.3, 0.6 or 1.2 ppm for 4 h, 16-18 h before the studies). We found airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine, but not to acetylcholine, only after 1.2 ppm O(3). By contrast, airway hyperresponsiveness to substance P was developed at O(3) levels encountered in highly-polluted cities (0.3 ppm). These results suggest that excitatory non-adrenergic non-cholinergic responses could be affected by air pollution, and that substance P is a useful pharmacological tool for evaluating the airway hyperresponsiveness induced by low O(3) concentrations.

Airway inflammation despite loss of bronchial hyper-responsiveness after multiple ozone exposures

The effect of single and multiple exposures to ozone (O3) on airway responsiveness and inflammation was examined in guinea pigs. Airway responsiveness, measured as acetylcholine concentration needed to increase baseline airway resistance (RL) by 250% (PC250), increased 1 h after exposure to ozone at 3 ppm for 3 h (-log PC250 from 3.88 +/- 0.17 to 4.78 +/- 0.18; P < 0.05), but returned to baseline at 8 h. An increase in neutrophil numbers was found at 8 h in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). After O3 exposure on 4 successive days, baseline RL increased and airway responsiveness decreased at 1, 8 and 72 h (-log PC250 = 2.88 +/- 0.17, 2.83 +/- 0.10 and 3.12 +/- 0.08, respectively, compared to control value of 3.48 +/- 0.05). Repeated exposures to O3 also increased neutrophil numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and in bronchial submucosa. Thus, single exposure to O3 caused a rapid and transient increase in airway responsiveness, while multiple exposures induced a rapid but prolonged decrease in airway responsiveness associated with persistent bronchoconstriction. Both single and multiple exposures induced airway inflammation as evidenced by an increase in neutrophil influx. These studies demonstrated a dissociation between ozone-induced changes in airway responsiveness and neutrophil influx, and indicate that multiple exposures to O3 induce persistent bronchoconstriction with airway hyporesponsiveness.

Inhaled Bordetella pertussis vaccine decreases airway responsiveness in guinea pigs

Bordetella pertussis (BP) has been used as adjuvant for experimental animal immunization, but its effects on airway responsiveness are uncertain. Three groups of guinea pigs were used: animals with a single exposure to inhaled BP vaccine (strain 134, total dose 1.24 x 10(12) germs), animals submitted to a sensitization procedure through inhalation of ovalbumin plus BP, and healthy control animals. Four weeks after inhalation of BP or after the beginning of sensitization, dose- or concentration-response curves to histamine were constructed in vivo and in vitro (tracheal and parenchymal preparations). We found that BP alone produced lower responses to histamine than control guinea pigs in vivo (insufflation pressure, p = 0.0003) and in tracheal tissues (p = 0.04), but not in parenchymal preparations. Sensitization did not modify the responsiveness compared with their respective controls. These results suggest that some BP component(s), probably pertussis toxin, causes a long lasting airway hyporesponsiveness in guinea pigs.

In-vitro exposure of guinea pig main bronchi to 2.5 ppm of nitrogen dioxide does not alter airway smooth muscle response

In order to investigate whether the oxidant airborne pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO2) affects airway smooth muscle responsiveness, the contractile response of guinea pig main bronchi after in vitro exposure to 2.5 ppm of nitrogen dioxide was studied. Main bronchi were cannulated and exposed for 2 or 4 h to a constant flow of either NO2 or air. After exposure, bronchial rings were obtained and placed in a 37 degrees C jacketed organ bath filled with Krebs-Henseleit solution. Concentration-response curves were performed for acetylcholine (10(-9)-10(-3) M), substance P (10(-9)-10(-4) M), and neurokinin A (10(-10)-10(-5) M), and voltage-response curves (12-28 V) were performed for electrical field stimulation. There was no significant difference in either the smooth muscle maximal contractile response, or sensitivity between the bronchi exposed to NO2 and those exposed to air. We conclude that in vitro exposure to 2.5 ppm of NO2 does not alter airway smooth muscle responsiveness in guinea pigs.

Effect of ozone exposure on antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea pigs

Airway hyperresponsiveness can be induced by several stimuli including antigen and ozone, both of which may be present in the air of polluted cities. Though the effect of ozone on the bronchoconstrictor response to antigen has been well described, the combined effect of these stimuli on airway hyperresponsiveness has not yet been studied. Sensitized guinea pigs with or without ozone exposure for 1 h at 3 ppm, 18 h prior to study, were challenged with a dose-response curve to histamine (0.01-1.8 micrograms/kg, iv) followed by an antigen challenge (ovalbumin, 50 micrograms/kg, iv), and then by a second histamine dose-response curve 1 h later. Airway responses were measured as the increase in pulmonary insufflation pressure. In sensitized guinea pigs, the histamine ED50 significantly decreased after antigen challenge, demonstrating the development of airway hyperresponsiveness. Sensitized guinea pigs exposed to ozone showed airway hyperresponsiveness to histamine when compared with nonexposed animals, and such hyperresponsiveness was further enhanced after antigen challenge. We conclude that in this guinea pig model of acute allergic bronchoconstriction both antigen challenge and ozone induce airway hyperresponsiveness, while ozone exposure does not modify the development of antigen-induced hyperresponsiveness.