Prolonged Ovalbumin Exposure Attenuates Airway Hyperresponsiveness and T Cell Function in Mice

BACKGROUND: Continuous exposure of sensitized mice to an innocuous antigen, such as OVA, does not lead to chronic airway eosinophilia, but induces antigen unresponsiveness and resolution of the inflammatory response. In this study we explored mechanisms underlying attenuation of the airway inflammatory response, assessed whether the phenomenon is strain-specific, and determined its consequences to airway physiology. METHODS: Mice were …