BCG modulation of anaphylactic antibody response, airwayinflammation and lung hyperreactivity in geneticallyselected mouse strains (Selection IV-A)

ABSTRACT

The effect of Bacillus Calmette–Gue´rin (BCG) treatment in allergic pulmonary reaction was studied in micegenetically selected accordingly to a High (H-IVA) or Low (L-IVA) antibody responsiveness. Mice wereimmunized with ovalbumin (OVA) or OVA plus BCG. Two days after nasal antigenic challenge, seric IgE andIgG1 anti-OVA, eosinophils in pulmonary tissue, inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage and the complianceand conductance of respiratory system were evaluated. H-IVA mice were found more susceptible than L-IVA, andBCG was able to inhibit simultaneously the production of IgE, the bronchopulmonary inflammation and bronchialhyperresponsiveness in these genetically selected mice.