Experimental mouse models of asthma are widely used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of this complex and heterogeneous disease. Using mouse models of ovalbumin-induced asthma, previous investigators have established a crucial role for MIF in the development of type 2-mediated eosinophilic asthma. Surprisingly, however, the role of MIF in other phenotypes of asthma has received little attention. MIF is an important mediator of neutrophilic inflammation, and also acts to antagonize the actions of corticosteroids. Thus, MIF may play a role in the development of severe forms of asthma in which airway neutrophilia and corticosteroid insensitivity are major features. In this chapter, we provide an experimental protocol that may be used to investigate the role of MIF in a mouse model of severe corticosteroid-resistant neutrophilic asthma.
Keywords: Corticosteroid resistance; House dust mite; Mouse model; Neutrophil; Severe asthma.