Subjects will be put through two study periods. Each study period will consist of four visits and will be separated by 2-4 weeks. On the first visit, subjects will undergo screening procedures, including complete history and physical examination. In addition, methacholine inhalation challenge and skin-prick testing will be preformed to assess airway hyper-responsiveness and determine atopic status respectively. Lastly, sputum will be induced before challenge (0 hrs) and peripheral blood will be collected. On the second visit, subjects will inhale diluent or allergen and sputum will be collected 7 hours following inhalation challenge. Next, on the third visit, subjects will return 24 hours following inhalation challenge and sputum will be induced. On the final visit, subjects will return 72 hours following inhalation challenge and sputum will be collected, along with peripheral blood.
Before the next study period begins, there will be a washout period of 2-4 weeks. On the first visit of the second study period, a methacholine challenge will be performed to ensure the return of PC20 to within one doubling dose of baseline values. Also, sputum will be induced before challenge (0hrs) and peripheral blood will be collected. On the second visit, subjects will inhale diluent or allergen and sputum will be collected 7hrs following inhalation challenge. Next, on the third visit, subjects will return 24 hours following inhalation challenge and sputum will be induced. On the final visit, subjects will return 72 hours following inhalation challenge and sputum will be collected, along with peripheral blood.
