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…