Therapeutic potential of anti-IL-1β IgY in guinea pigs with allergic asthma induced by ovalbumin

Background: Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) plays pivotal roles in the progression of allergic airway inflammation. This study aims to determine whether the blockade of IL-1 beta can inhibit airway inflammation in guinea pigs with allergic asthma induced by the inhalation of aerosolized ovalbumin (OVA). Methods: Healthy guinea pigs treated with saline were used as normal controls (group C). The guinea pigs with allergic asthma induced by the inhalation of aerosolized OVA were randomly divided into three groups: (1) the M group containing negative control animals treated with saline; (2) the Z(1) group containing animals treated by the inhalation of atomized 0.1% anti-IL-1 beta immunoglobulin yolk (IgY); and (3) the Z(2) group containing positive control animals that were treated with budesonide. The inflammatory cells in the peripheral blood (PB) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were evaluated using methylene blue and eosin staining. Cytokine concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pulmonary sections were examined using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Results: Allergic inflammation and damage to the pulmonary tissues were decreased in the Z(1) group compared to the M group. Eosinophils and neutrophils in the PB and BALF were significantly decreased in the Z(1) group compared to the M group (P<0.05). Treatment with anti-IL-1 beta IgY significantly reduced the levels of IL-1 beta, IL-4, IL-8, IL-13, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta(1) and IgE in the BALF (P<0.05). Conclusion: The inhalation of aerosolized anti-IL-1 beta IgY inhibits pathological responses in the pulmonary tissues of guinea pigs with allergic asthma. The inhibitory activity may be due to the decrease in the numbers of eosinophils and neutrophils and the reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines and IgE in the PB and BALF. (C), 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.