Effect of AgK114 on Picryl Chloride-induced Chronic Contact Hypersensitivity Responses

Abstract

Background: Mouse AgK114 (a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored membrane-associated protein) expression is found in somatotrophs of the pituitary gland in correlation with the expression of growth hormone. In this study, the effects of AgK114 on the systemic immune response were examined in contact hypersensitivity (CHS) model mice. Materials and Methods: AgK114 was intraperitoneally injected into BALB/c mice that were sensitized and challenged with picryl chloride (PiCl). Serum IgE levels and the antigen-specific cytokine production by lymph node (LN) cells were examined. Results: The serum IgE levels in the CHS mice treated with 10 μg/head of AgK114 during the repeated challenge with PiCl were significantly decreased compared with those of the control mice. Moreover, IL-4 production by LN cells in response to 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene-sulfonic acid sodium salt-treated splenocytes was decreased in the AgK114-treated CHS mice compared with that of the control mice. Conclusion: Our results suggest that systemic administration of AgK114 exerted immunoregulatory functions on the allergic responses, resulting in the inhibition of IgE production.