0000000000038361
AUTHOR
Joachim Maxeiner
Non-eosinophilic Airway Hyper-reactivity in Mice, Induced by IFN-γProducing CD4+and CD8+Lung T cells, is Responsive to Steroid Treatment
Non-eosinophilic asthma is characterized by infiltration of neutrophils into the lung and variable responsiveness to glucocorticoids. The pathophysiological mechanisms have not been characterized in detail. Here, we present an experimental asthma model in mice associated with non-eosinophilic airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). For this, BALB/c mice were sensitized by biolistic DNA immunization with a plasmid encoding the model antigen β-galactosidase (pFascin-βGal mice). For comparison, eosinophilic airway inflammation was induced by subcutaneous injection of βGal protein (βGal mice). Intranasal challenge of mice in both groups induced AHR to a comparable extent as w…
TH17 cells mediate pulmonary collateral priming
Background Our laboratory has shown that inhalational sensitization to new antigens is facilitated through an ongoing T H 2-polarized inflammation of the lung, a phenomenon we call "collateral priming." Objective We were interested to analyze whether a T H 1-polarized pulmonary inflammation also facilitates priming toward new antigens and which cytokine or cytokines are involved. Methods T H 1-polarized T cells were generated in vitro and transferred into congenic mice. Mice were challenged initially with cognate antigen and an unrelated antigen; consecutively, they received cognate antigen or the secondary antigen. Airway inflammation, antigen-specific IgG2a levels, and airway hyperrespons…
Enhanced production of CCL18 by tolerogenic dendritic cells is associated with inhibition of allergic airway reactivity
Background IL-10–treated dendritic cells (DCs) have been shown to inhibit T-cell responses through induction of anergy and regulatory T cells in various model systems, including allergic inflammation, but the factors being involved in this inhibition are still unclear. Objective This study set out to analyze such factors produced or induced by IL-10–treated DCs by using gene expression profiling and to explore their function. Methods CD4 + T cells from allergic donors were stimulated with autologous monocyte-derived allergen-pulsed mature DCs or IL-10–treated DCs. After 24 hours, the transcriptional profile was analyzed by using Affymetrix technology. Results were validated by using quantit…
A Key Regulatory Role of the Transcription Factor NFATc2 in Bronchial Adenocarcinoma via CD8+ T Lymphocytes
AbstractThe Ca2+-regulated calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) cascade controls alternative pathways of T-cell activation and peripheral tolerance. Here, we describe reduction of NFATc2 mRNA expression in the lungs of patients with bronchial adenocarcinoma. In a murine model of bronchoalveolar adenocarcinoma, mice lacking NFATc2 developed more and larger solid tumors than wild-type littermates. The extent of central tumor necrosis was decreased in the tumors in NFATc2(−/−) mice, and this finding was associated with reduced tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by CD8+ T cells. Adoptive transfer of CD8+ T cells of NFATc2(−/−) mice induced transforming…
Efficiency of Biolistic DNA Vaccination in Experimental Type I Allergy
Gene gun-mediated delivery of allergen-encoding plasmid DNA has been in focus for many years now as being a needle-free alternative to the protein-based desensitization regimen used in specific immunotherapy. Biolistic immunization with the Helios gene gun has proven to be potent in the induction of antigen-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Here we describe biolistic vaccination in experimental mouse models of IgE-mediated type I allergy as well as allergen-induced airway inflammation.
Coincident airway exposure to low-potency allergen and cytomegalovirus sensitizes for allergic airway disease by viral activation of migratory dendritic cells
Despite a broad cell-type tropism, cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an evidentially pulmonary pathogen. Predilection for the lungs is of medical relevance in immunocompromised recipients of hematopoietic cell transplantation, in whom interstitial CMV pneumonia is a frequent and, if left untreated, fatal clinical manifestation of human CMV infection. A conceivable contribution of CMV to airway diseases of other etiology is an issue that so far attracted little medical attention. As the route of primary CMV infection upon host-to-host transmission in early childhood involves airway mucosa, coincidence of CMV airway infection and exposure to airborne environmental antigens is almost unavoidable. For i…
Cylindromatosis (Cyld) gene mutation in T cells promotes the development of an IL-9-dependent allergic phenotype in experimental asthma
Cylindromatosis (CYLD) is a ubiquitously expressed deubiquitinating enzyme which removes activating ubiquitin residues from important signaling molecules of the NF-κB pathway. In CYLDex7/8 transgenic mice, a naturally occurring short isoform (sCYLD) is overexpressed in the absence of full length CYLD, leading to excessive NF-κB activity. Herein, we investigated the impact of the CYLDex7/8 mutation selectively in T cells on the development of experimental allergic airway disease induced by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin. Compared with their wildtype littermates, mice bearing the T cell-specific mutation (CD4+CYLDex7/8) display stronger eosinophilia and mucus production in the lun…
Helicobacter pylori gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and vacuolating cytotoxin promote gastric persistence and immune tolerance
Infection with the gastric bacterial pathogen Helicobacter pylori is typically contracted in early childhood and often persists for decades. The immunomodulatory properties of H. pylori that allow it to colonize humans persistently are believed to also account for H. pylori ’s protective effects against allergic and chronic inflammatory diseases. H. pylori infection efficiently reprograms dendritic cells (DCs) toward a tolerogenic phenotype and induces regulatory T cells (Tregs) with highly suppressive activity in models of allergen-induced asthma. We show here that two H. pylori virulence determinants, the γ-glutamyl transpeptidase GGT and the vacuolating cytotoxin VacA, contribute critic…
Protein corona–mediated targeting of nanocarriers to B cells allows redirection of allergic immune responses
Background Nanoparticle (NP)–based vaccines are attractive immunotherapy tools because of their capability to codeliver antigen and adjuvant to antigen-presenting cells. Their cellular distribution and serum protein interaction ("protein corona") after systemic administration and their effect on the functional properties of NPs is poorly understood. Objectives We analyzed the relevance of the protein corona on cell type–selective uptake of dextran-coated NPs and determined the outcome of vaccination with NPs that codeliver antigen and adjuvant in disease models of allergy. Methods The role of protein corona constituents for cellular binding/uptake of dextran-coated ferrous nanoparticles (DE…
Neutrophil extracellular traps impair fungal clearance in a mouse model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
Abstract Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are formed by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and contribute to the innate host defense by binding and killing bacterial and fungal pathogens. Because NET formation depends on histone hypercitrullination by peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4), we used PAD4 gene deficient (Pad4-/-) mice in a mouse model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) to address the contribution of NETs to the innate host defense in vivo. After the induction (24 h) of IPA by i.t. infection with Aspergillus fumigatus conidia, Pad4-/- mice revealed lower fungal burden in the lungs, accompanied by less acute lung injury, TNFα and citH3 compared to wildtype controls. T…
Dual role of interleukin-1alpha in delayed-type hypersensitivity and airway hyperresponsiveness.
<i>Background:</i> Using a T helper (Th)1/Th2 disease model, we previously showed that genetically determined Th development depends on dendritic cell-derived interleukin (IL)-1α. In <i>Leishmania major</i> infections, Th1 immunity develops if IL-1α is present during T cell priming, whereas at later time points, IL-1α worsens disease outcome. In the present study, we determined the role of IL-1α in other Th2-mediated diseases. <i>Methods:</i> BALB/c mice were subjected to delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) or ovalbumin (OVA)/alum-induced allergic asthma in the presence or absence of IL-1α. <i>Results:</i> In DTH, mice treated with IL-1α durin…
A method to enable the investigation of murine bronchial immune cells, their cytokines and mediators.
Innovative therapies for severe lung diseases (such as allergic and chronic asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or any type of lung cancer) require a detailed understanding of the cellular and immune processes in the lung. This protocol details a method to obtain the immune cells of the bronchi as well as the cytokines and mediators produced by these cells for further investigation. The broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is taken by injecting physiological solution through the tracheal tube into the murine airways and carefully regained by winding up the connected syringe. After centrifugation, the resulting BALF supernatant can be stored for detection of cytokines or other medi…
Cinnamon extract inhibits allergen-specific immune responses in human and murine allergy models.
Background Ceylon cinnamon has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties in many diseases including allergic inflammation. Objective The aim of this study was to analyse in more detail the effects of cinnamon extract (CE) and its major compounds p-cymene and trans-cinnamaldehyde (CA) on allergen-specific immune responses in vitro and in vivo. Methods Therefore, monocyte-derived mature dendritic cells (DC) from grass or birch pollen allergic donors were pulsed with the respective allergen in the presence or absence of CE, p-cymene, CA or the solvent ethanol and co-cultured with autologous CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, basophil activation test was performed with or without CE or ethanol…
Coexpression of TGF-β1 and IL-10 Enables Regulatory T Cells to Completely Suppress Airway Hyperreactivity
Abstract In allergic airway disease, Treg may play an important role in the modulation of airway hyperreactivity (AHR) and inflammation. We therefore investigated the therapeutic potential of Treg in an Ag-dependent murine asthma model. We here describe that AHR can be completely suppressed by adoptive transfer of Treg overexpressing active TGF-β1. Using mice with impaired TGF-β signaling in T cells, we could demonstrate that TGF-β signaling in recipient effector T cells or transferred Treg themselves is not required for the protective effects on AHR. However, the expression of IL-10 by Treg was found to be essential for the suppression of AHR, since Treg overexpressing active TGF-β1 but de…
Regulation of IgE production and airway reactivity by CD4(-)CD8(-) regulatory T cells
The mechanisms of tolerance induction occurring in the course of allergen-specific immunotherapy have not been elucidated in full detail. Our study aimed to characterize high zone tolerance in mouse models of type I allergy and of allergic airway inflammation induced by subcutaneous sensitization of mice with high doses of the model allergen ovalbumin (OVA) without the use of adjuvant. Mice were immunized by subcutaneous injection of high doses (HD) of OVA or, for comparison, low doses (LD) of OVA in saline. HD-mice showed lower specific IgE, but augmented IgG in sera than LD-mice. Pre-treatment of mice with HD-OVA antigen-specifically inhibited IgE production subsequently induced by LD-OVA…
Protective role of nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 in CD8+ long-lived memory T cells in an allergy model
Background The transcriptional regulation of cytokines released and controlled by memory T cells is not well understood. Defective IFN-γ production in allergic asthma correlates in human beings with the risk of wheezing in childhood. Objective To understand the role of the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 (NFATc2) in memory and effector T cells in the airways in experimental allergic asthma. Methods We used murine models of allergic asthma and adoptive cell transfer of fluorescence-activated sorted cells in a disease model. Results Mice lacking NFATc2 developed an increase in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), remodeling, and serum IgE levels on ovalbumin sensitizat…
IL-2 receptor beta-chain signaling controls immunosuppressive CD4+ T cells in the draining lymph nodes and lung during allergic airway inflammation in vivo.
Abstract IL-2 influences both survival and differentiation of CD4+ T effector and regulatory T cells. We studied the effect of i.n. administration of Abs against the α- and the β-chains of the IL-2R in a murine model of allergic asthma. Blockade of the β- but not the α-chain of the IL-2R after allergen challenge led to a significant reduction of airway hyperresponsiveness. Although both treatments led to reduction of lung inflammation, IL-2 signaling, STAT-5 phosphorylation, and Th2-type cytokine production (IL-4 and IL-5) by lung T cells, IL-13 production and CD4+ T cell survival were solely inhibited by the blockade of the IL-2R β-chain. Moreover, local blockade of the common IL-2R/IL-15R…
Effective treatment of allergic airway inflammation with Helicobacter pylori immunomodulators requires BATF3-dependent dendritic cells and IL-10
The prevalence of allergic asthma and other atopic diseases has reached epidemic proportions in large parts of the developed world. The gradual loss of the human indigenous microbiota has been held responsible for this trend. The bacterial pathogen Helicobacter pylori is a constituent of the normal gastric microbiota whose presence has been inversely linked to allergy and asthma in humans and experimental models. Here we show that oral or i.p. tolerization with H. pylori extract prevents the airway hyperresponsiveness, bronchoalveolar eosinophilia, pulmonary inflammation, and Th2 cytokine production that are hallmarks of allergen-induced asthma in mice. Asthma protection is not conferred by…
Immunosurveillance of lung melanoma metastasis in EBI-3-deficient mice mediated by CD8+ T cells.
Abstract EBV-induced gene 3 (EBI-3) codes for a soluble type I receptor homologous to the p40 subunit of IL-12 that is expressed by APCs following activation. In this study, we assessed the role of EBI-3 in a model of lung melanoma metastasis. Intravenous injection of the B16-F10 cell line resulted in a significant reduction of lung tumor metastasis in EBI-3−/− recipient mice compared with wild-type mice. The immunological finding accompanying this effect was the expansion of a newly described cell subset called IFN-γ producing killer dendritic cells associated with CD8+ T cell responses in the lung of EBI-3−/− mice including IFN-γ release and TNF-α-induced programmed tumor cell death. Depl…
Asthmatic changes in mice lacking T-bet are mediated by IL-13
Mice with a targeted deletion of the T-bet gene exhibit spontaneous airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), airway inflammation, enhanced recovery of T(h)2 cytokines from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, sub-epithelial collagen deposition and myofibroblast transformation. Here we analyze the mechanisms responsible for the chronic airway remodeling observed in these mice. CD4+ T cells isolated from the lung of T-bet-deficient mice were spontaneously activated CD44(high)CD69(high) memory T cells, with a typical T(h)2 cytokine profile. Neutralization of IL-13 but not IL-4 resulted in amelioration of AHR in airways of mice lacking T-bet. IL-13 blockade also led to reduced eosinophilia and decreased vime…
Wheat amylase-trypsin inhibitors exacerbate intestinal and airway allergic immune responses in humanized mice.
Background Amylase-trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) in wheat and related cereals are potent activators of myeloid innate immune cells via engagement of TLR4. Furthermore, ATIs have been shown to serve as adjuvants in experimental intestinal inflammatory diseases. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze whether ATIs are also modifiers of allergic inflammation. Methods Therefore, CD4 + T cells from donors sensitized to grass or birch pollen were stimulated with autologous allergen-pulsed dendritic cells in the presence or absence of ATIs or the control storage protein zein from corn. To analyze allergen-induced gut and lung inflammation, immunodeficient mice were engrafted with PBMCs from the…