An altered balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines is responsible for a variety of immuno-inflammatory disorders such as asthma, yet the role of post-transcriptional mechanisms, such as those mediated by microRNAs, in adjusting the relative magnitude and balance of Th cytokine expression have been largely unexplored. Here we show that miR-21 has a central role in setting a balance between Th1 and Th2 responses to antigens. Targeted ablation of miR-21 in mice led to reduced lung eosinophilia after allergen challenge, with a broadly reprogrammed immunoactivation transcriptome, and significantly increased levels of the Th1 cytokine IFNγ. Biological network-based transcriptome analysis of OVA-challenged miR-21-/-mice identified an unexpected prominent dysregulation of IL-12/IFNγ pathways as the most significantly affected in the lungs with a key role for miR-21 in IFNγ signaling and T-cell polarization, consistent with a functional miR-21 binding site in IL-12p35. In support of these hypotheses, miR-21 deficiency led dendritic cells to produce more IL-12 after LPS stimulation, and OVA-challenged CD4+ T lymphocytes to produce increased IFNγ and decreased IL-4. Further, loss of miR-21 significantly enhanced the Th1-associated delayed-type hypersensitivity cutaneous responses. Thus, our results define miR-21 as a major regulator of Th1 vs. Th2 responses, defining a new mechanism for regulating polarized immuno-inflammatory responses.

Background: Resistin-like molecule (Relm) α is a secreted protein and a hallmark signature gene for alternatively activated macrophages. Relm-α is highly induced by allergic inflammatory triggers and perceived to promote tissue repair. Yet the function of Relm-α remains unknown. Objective: We sough to determine the role of Relm-α in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)–induced colonic injury. Methods: The cellular source of Relm-α was determined after oral DSS-induced colitis. Retnla−/− mice were generated, subjected to DSS treatment, and monitored for disease progression (clinical and histopathologic features). Cytokine production in the supernatants of ex vivo colon cultures, and of LPS-stimulated macrophages incubated with Relm-α was assessed. Relm-α was administered intraperitoneally, and the cellular recruitment to the peritoneum was assessed. Results: After innate intestinal stimulation with DSS, Relm-α was highly expressed by eosinophils and epithelial cells. Retnla gene–targeted mice were protected from DSS-induced colitis (eg, decreased diarrhea, rectal bleeding, colon shortening, disease score, and histopathologic changes). Relm-α coactivated IL-6 and TNF-α release and inhibited IL-10 release from LPS-activated bone marrow–derived macrophages. Consistent with these finding, colon cultures of DSS-treated Retnla−/− mice produced decreased IL-6 and increased IL-10 ex vivo. Furthermore, Retnla−/− mice had substantially decreased c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation in vivo. In vivo administration of Relm-α initiated cellular recruitment to the peritoneum, and Relm-α was able to induce eosinophil chemotaxis in vitro. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate a central proinflammatory role for Relm-α in colonic innate immune responses, identifying a novel pathway for regulation of macrophage activation.

Resistin-like molecule α (Relm-α) is a secreted cysteine-rich protein belonging to a newly defined family of proteins, including resistin, Relm-β, and Relm-γ. Resistin was initially defined based on its insulin resistance activity, but the family members are highly up-regulated in various inflammatory states, especially those involving intestinal inflammation. In this study, we report the role of Relm-α at baseline and following an experimental model of colitis. Relm-α was readily detected in the serum at baseline (4–5 ng/ml), and its level was regulated by energy uptake. Retnla−/− mice had decreased baseline circulating leptin levels, but displayed normal glucose, glucose clearance, and insulin levels. Following exposure to the oral innate trigger dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), a nonredundant proinflammatory role for Relm-α was uncovered as Retnla−/− mice were markedly protected from DSS-induced disease activity and histopathological features. Relm-α regulated eosinophil-directed cytokines (e.g., IL-5, CCL11/eotaxin-1, and CCL5/RANTES) and IL-17 ex vivo. Consistently, DSS-treated Retnla−/− mice displayed substantially decreased eosinophil accumulation and decreased phosphorylation of NF-κB, ERK1/2, and p38 in macrophages and eosinophils. Following DSS exposure, serum level of Relm-α was up-regulated, and DSS-treated Retnla−/− mice were markedly protected from hyperglycemia induced by glucose injection independent of changes in insulin levels. Retnla−/− mice were protected from increases in gut hormone serum levels of gastric inhibitory polypeptide and peptide YY that were induced following DSS treatment. These findings demonstrate a central proinflammatory role for Relm-α in the regulation of colonic inflammation and a novel link between colonic injury, glucose tolerance, and energy intake.

Interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-4 are hallmark cytokines of Th2-associated diseases including asthma. Recent studies revealed that IL-13Rα1 regulates asthma pathogenesis by mediating both IL-4 and IL-13-mediated responses. Nonetheless, the relative contribution of each cytokine in response to aeroallergen challenge and the degree of functional dichotomy between IL-4 and IL-13 in asthma remains unclear. Consistent with prior publications, we demonstrate that IL-13Rα1 regulates aeroallergen-induced airway resistance and mucus production but not IgE and Th2 cytokine production. We demonstrate that aeroallergen-induced eosinophil recruitment and chemokine production were largely dependent of IL-13Rα1 following Aspergillus (Asp) but not house dust mite (HDM) challenges. Notably, Asp-challenged mice displayed increased IL-13Rα1-dependent accumulation of dendritic cell subsets into lung draining lymph nodes in comparison with HDM. Comparison of IL-4 and IL-13 levels in the different experimental models revealed increased IL-4:IL-13 ratios following HDM challenge, likely explaining the IL-13Rα1-independent eosinophilia and chemokine production. Consistently, eosinophil adoptive-transfer experiments revealed near ablation of lung eosinophilia in response to Asp in Il13ra1−/− mice, suggesting that Asp-induced lung eosinophil recruitment is regulated by IL-13-induced chemokine production, rather than altered IL-13 signaling in eosinophils. Furthermore, the near complete protection observed in Il13ra1−/− mice in response to Asp-challenge was dependent on mucosal sensitization since Alum/Asp-sensitized mice that were re-challenged with Asp developed IL-13Rα1-independent eosinophilia although other asthma parameters remained IL-13Rα1-dependent. These results establish that IL-13Rα1 is required for aeroallergen-induced airway resistance and that allergen-induced chemokine production and consequent eosinophilia is dictated by the balance between IL-4 and IL-13 production in situ.