Figure 2
Breastfeeding-induced protection by ovalbumin (OVA)-exposed sensitized mothers is long lasting and antigen specific. (a–c) Long-term protection. Mice were breastfed by unexposed (empty bars) or OVA-exposed (light gray bars) non-sensitized mothers, or unexposed (dark gray bars) or OVA-exposed (black bars) sensitized mothers. Mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA 14 weeks after birth. Data show cell number and eosinophils frequency in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids (a), serum levels of OVA-specific IgE (b), and levels of interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 secreted by lung cells when incubated or not with OVA (c). Data are expressed as mean±s.e.m. in one representative experiment with n=9. (d–f) Antigen specificity. Mice were breastfed by unexposed (dark gray bars) or OVA-exposed (black bars) sensitized mothers, sensitized with LACK when they were 6–8 weeks old, and then challenged with LACK aerosols. Data show cell number and frequency of eosinophils in BAL fluid (e), serum levels of LACK-specific IgE content (f), and levels of IL-5 and IL-13 secreted by lung cells when incubated or not with LACK (g). Data are expressed as mean±s.e.m. in one representative experiment with n=8. ***P<0.001; **P<0.01; *P<0.05; NS, P>0.05.
