A Murine Inhalation Model to Characterize Pulmonary Exposure to Dry Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia

摘要: Most murine models of fungal exposure are based on the delivery uncharacterized extracts or liquid conidia suspensions using aspiration intranasal approaches. Studies that model to dry aerosols whole body inhalation have only recently been described. In this study, we aimed characterize pulmonary immune responses following repeated utilizing an acoustical generator deliver mice housed in a nose chamber. Immunocompetent female BALB/cJ were exposed derived from Aspergillus fumigatus wild-type (WT) melanin-deficient (Δalb1) strain. Conidia aerosolized and delivered at estimated deposition dose 1×105 twice week for 4 weeks (8 total). Histopathological immunological endpoints assessed 4, 24, 48, 72 hours after final exposure. analysis showed both strains induced lung inflammation, especially 24 48 hour time points. Immunological evaluated bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) mediastinal lymph nodes WT led elevated numbers macrophages, granulocytes, lymphocytes. Importantly, CD8+ IL17+ (Tc17) cells significantly higher BALF positively correlated with germination A. spores. Germination was associated specific IgG intracellular proteins while Δalb1 spores elicited antibodies cell wall hydrophobin. These data suggest exposures may provide more representative environmentally occupationally prevalent contaminants.