136 research outputs found
The 1972 Montana Constitution in a Contemporary Context
The 1972 Montana Constitution in a Contemporary Contex
Attenuated asthma phenotype in mice with a fetal-like antigen receptor repertoire
We hypothesized that the scarcity of N-nucleotides might contribute to the inability of the neonate
to mount a robust allergic immune response. To test this, we used terminal deoxyribunucleotidyl
Transferase defcient (TdT−/−) mice, which express “fetal-like” T cell receptor and immunoglobulin
repertoires with largely germline-encoded CDR3 regions. Intraperitoneal sensitization was followed
by aerosol provocation with either PBS or the allergen OVA in both TdT−/− mice and wild-type mice
to develop allergic respiratory infammation. The efects of this procedure were investigated by lung
function test, immunological analysis of serum and brochoalveolar lavage. The local TH2 cytokine
milieu was signifcantly attenuated in TdT−/− mice. Within this group, the induction of total IgE levels
was also signifcantly reduced after sensitization. TdT−/− mice showed a tendency toward reduced
eosinophilic infow into the bronchial tubes, which was associated with the elimination of respiratory
hyperreactivity. In conclusion, in a murine model of allergic airway infammation, the expression
of fetal-like antigen receptors was associated with potent indications of a reduced ability to mount
an asthma phenotype. This underlines the importance of somatically-generated antigen-receptor
repertoire diversity in type one allergic immune responses and suggests that the fetus may be
protected from allergic responses, at least in part, by controlling N addition
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