Sensitizing and Th2 Adjuvant Activity of Cysteine Protease Allergens

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Innate properties that enhance immune responses might increase the propensity of certain allergens to induce allergic sensitization. Either a direct adjuvant effect or the increased immune response to the allergen could then increase allergic responses to bystander antigens. Here, we report on a model that does not use Th2-skewing adjuvants and yet achieves sensitization solely via the nasal mucosa. METHODS: Animals were sensitized with either enzymatically active, inactive or non-activated cysteine proteases via the nasal mucosa. Following two sensitization phases, mice were challenged with a higher dose of allergen. For bystander sensitization, mice received recombinant Der p 2..