Ozone inhalation induces exacerbation of eosinophilic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in allergen-sensitized mice

Background: Ozone (O₃) exposure evokes asthma exacerbations by mechanisms that are poorly understood. We used a murine model to characterize the effects of O₃ on allergic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness and to identify factors that might contribute to the O ₃-induced exacerbation of asthma. Methods: BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with Aspergillus fumigatus (Af). A group of sensitized and challenged mice was exposed to 3.0 ppm of O₃ for 2 h and studied 12 h later (96 h after Af challenge). Naive mice and mice exposed to O ₃ alone were used as controls. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cellular and cytokine content, lung function [enhanced pause (P_enh)], isometric force generation by tracheal rings and gene and protein expression of Fas and FasL were assessed. Apoptosis of eosinophils was quantified by FACS. Results: In sensitized mice allergen challenge induced a significant increase of P_enh and contractile force in tracheal rings that peaked 24 h after challenge and resolved by 96 h. O₃ inhalation induced an exacerbation of airway hyperresponsiveness accompanied by recurrence of neutrophils and enhancement of eosinophils 96 h after allergen challenge. The combination of allergen and O₃ exposure inhibited Fas and FasL gene and protein expression and eosinophil apoptosis and increased interleukin-5 (IL-5), granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and G-CSF protein levels. Conclusions: O₃ affects airway responsiveness of allergen-primed airways indirectly by increasing viability of eosinophils and eosinophil-mediated pathological changes.