Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:Atopic disorders have gaining considerable interest because of its rapid progression of prevalence in the last decades and the development of preventive measure is in urgent need. To this end, understanding how environmental factors contribute to its etiology is crucially required, as well as genetic factors. In this report, we sought to clarify how environmental condition affect outcome of ocular immediate hypersensitivity in atopic individuals. Methods: NC/Nga has been used as a model mouse for atopic dermatitis. To evaluate the influence of environmental factors on atopic conjunctivitis, we first established murine atopic conjunctivitis model using NC/Nga, and compared with control strain (SWR/J). The mice were sensitized by short ragweed pollen (RW) or PBS(control), and challenged by topical application of RW or PBS(control) 2 weeks later. Ocular immediate hypersensitivity reaction was scored by clinical symptoms (chemosis, lid edema/redness, eye discharge, and sub-conjunctival hemorrhage, each scored 0 to 4). Using this model, we examined the affect of environmental factors on immediate hypersensitivity, comparing the NC/Nga mice kept under specific pathogen free (SPF) condition and the one under conventional condition. Results: In ragweed immunized NC/Nga, allergen-specific reaction was more prominent compared to control strain (SWR/J). Interestingly, total score of allergen-specific reaction in RW-sensitized NC/Nga was not affected by environmental condition (RW-immunized /SPF:10.1±0.6, RW-immunized /Conventional:9.2±0.8,). In contrast, allergen-independent reaction (mock-immunized NC/Nga) was aggravated in conventionally kept NC/Nga (mock-immunized /SPF:4.2±0.76, mock-immunized/Conventional 6.6±0.7,p<0.05). Conclusion: In murine atopic conjunctivitis model, allergen-independent hypersensitivity was aggravated in conventional condition, while allergen-specific reaction unchanged.
Keywords: conjunctivitis • animal model • immunohistochemistry