The role of sensitization routes in the development of type I hypersensitivity to natural rubber latex in mice.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Meade BJ ; Munson AE ; Woolhiser MR
• Description:
  Latex allergy has become recognized internationally as a serious health hazard. The most concerning allergic response to natural rubber latex (NRL) products include asthmatic reactions and life threatening anaphylactic shock. While the prevalence of latex allergy in the general population has been estimated between 2.5% and 6.5%, increased risk has been associated with several occupations and medical conditions. It has been suggested that approximately 17% of the 5.5 million U.S. health care workers (HCW) are now allergic to NRL while even higher incidences of latex allergic spinda bifida patients have been reported (20%-70%). In addition to the varied prevalence rates, different allergen specific IgE profiles have been associated with HCW as compared to spina bifida patients. As HCW are thought to be primarily exposed to latex allergens dermally and by inhalation, and spina bifida children are additionally exposed subcutaneously to latex via numerous surgical procedures, a leading hypothesis is that the route of latex sensitization results in the varied IgE immune response. Preliminary studies were designed to demonstrate the ability of mice to mount IgE responses to NRL proteins. Female B6C3Fl mice were dosed intranasal with approximately 10 ug of latex protein every fifth day over 5Yz weeks (9 exposures total). ELISA determinations demonstrated total IgE levels for latex protein treated mice which were almost 4-fold higher than those of control mice (3,500 ng/ml vs. 900 ng/ml). In addition, spleens and lung associated lymph nodes from these mice were analyzed by flow cytometry and demonstrated increased expression in B220 (B-cells) and surface IgE. 73% of the B220(+) lymphocytes from latex treated mice stained positive for surface IgE while only 13.5% did so for vehicle exposed mice. Likewise, 43% of B220( +) splenocytes stained positive for lgE compared to 9% from vehicle mice. In subsequent studies, mice were injected subcutaneously once per week with doses of latex proteins ranging from 1.5 ug-200 ug. Mice were tail bled weekly and total IgE levels were monitored. Total IgE concentrations were significantly increased by day 14 following injections of only 12.5ug of latex protein and peaked above 10,000 ng/ml in one study and 5,000 ng/ml in another following 50ug injections. These experiments suggest that the mouse will serve as an acceptable test system to mimic latex exposure routes. Future studies will also examine the IgE, splenocyte, and draining lymph node responses following exposure to latex proteins by inhalation and topical application. IgE immunoblot profiles will be characterized to help support the hypothesis that the exposure route by which NRL sensitization occurs results in the varied NRL immune responses reported in the literature.
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Asbestos Dust Environmental Monitoring Health Surveys Occupational Health Preceptorship Safety Surveys And Questionnaires
• Keywords:
  Animals Asthma Dermal Exposures Exposure Levels Hazards Health Effects Health Hazards Hypersensitivity Immune Reaction Inhalation Laboratory Animals Latex Latex Allergies Respiratory Function Respiratory Sensitizers Respiratory System Disorders Risk Factors Rubber Products Sensitization Skin Skin Exposure Skin Irritants

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• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  20
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20047944
• Citation:
  Proceedings of the 7th Joint Science Symposium on Occupational Safety and Health, October 26-27 1998, Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania. Cincinnati, OH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,1998 Oct; :20
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1999
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Proceedings of the 7th Joint Science Symposium on Occupational Safety and Health, October 26-27 1998, Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:c4c41306c1ab9782210a1f19eec7c8d0722ae871a5b2c298ddb3bc44411c18e8e216825c8ce1de45c8ad5df81f542b6b20acdf5e8ec12d487f4ac16f5888bc5d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/181684/cdc_181684_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 44.40 KB ]