Priming of allergic immune responses by repeated ozone exposure in mice.

The effects of repeated ozone exposures on the development of immune responses toward ovalbumin (OVA) were investigated in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Ozone exposures (180 to 500 microg/m(3); 4 h, three times/wk for 4 wk) were combined with a protocol of OVA-aerosol exposure (1% OVA). Immediate cutaneous hypersensitivity (ICHS) reactions and antibody titers were assessed in parallel to cytokine levels of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids.