Pharmacological contribution of early-lifetime exposure of mice to 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) to increase pulmonary susceptibility of allergic response at a late stage of life.

Author(s)

Karen Tiago dos Santos

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2009-08-21

Examining board members

Soraia Kátia Pereira Costa; Edson Antunes; Sandra Helena Poliselli Farsky

• Advisor: Soraia Kátia Pereira Costa
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology
• Indexed in: Banco de Dados Bibliográficos da USP-DEDALUS
• Location: Universidade de São Paulo. Biblioteca do Instituto de Biociências

Abstract

We have comparatively investigated whether exposure of neonates and adults mice to 1,2-NQ increases their susceptibility to allergic inflammation evoked by ovalbumin (OVA). Adults or neonate mice were nebulized with 1,2-NQ or corresponding vehicle. Following 24 h or eight weeks, adult or neonate mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA and the functional and inflammatory parameters were evaluated 24 h later. The allergic challenge in mice exposed to 1,2-NQ as neonates caused a potent influx of leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage, peripheral blood and increased eosinophil maturation in the bone marrow, without affecting Penh response. This was correlated with increased presentation of splenic CD11c and biosynthesis of Th2 cytokines in the lung. Adult mice exposure to 1,2-NQ failed to significantly increase OVA-induced allergic responses. Exposure to 1,2-NQ during neonatal period is critical to enhance susceptibility of asthma at a later stage of life, and that increased expression of splenic CD11c and inflammatory mediators contribute to this effect. (AU)