Anti–Interleukin-9 Antibody Treatment Inhibits Airway Inflammation and Hyperreactivity in Mouse Asthma Model

Anaphylaxis represents an extreme form of allergic reaction, consisting of a sensitization phase during which allergen-specific IgE are produced and an acute effector phase triggered by allergen-induced degranulation of mast cells. We studied the role of IL-9, a Th2 cytokine implicated in asthma, in different models of murine anaphylaxis. Using a passive model of systemic anaphylaxis, in which anti-DNP IgE Abs were administered before challenge with DNP-BSA, we found that IL-9-transgenic mice or wild-type mice treated with IL-9 for 5 days were highly sensitive to fatal anaphylaxis. This effect was reproduced in both anaphylaxis-susceptible and -resistant backgrounds (FVB/N or [FVB/N × BALB/c] F1 mice, respectively) and correlated with increased serum concentrations of mouse mast cell protease-1 level, a protein released upon mast cells degranulation. By contrast, IL-9 did not increase the susceptibility to passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. IL-9 expression also increased the susceptibility to fatal anaphylaxis when mice were sensitized by immunization against OVA before challenge with the same Ag. In this model, serum from sensitized, IL-9-transgenic mice was more potent in transferring susceptibility to OVA challenge into naive mice, indicating that IL-9 also promotes the sensitization stage. Finally, using IL-9R-deficient mice, we found that despite its anaphylaxis-promoting activity, IL-9 is dispensable for development of both passive and active anaphylaxis, at least in the C57BL/6 mouse background. Taken together, the data reported in this study indicate that IL-9 promotes systemic anaphylaxis reactions, acting at both the sensitization and effector stages, but is not absolutely required for this process.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Il-9 Promotes But Is Not Necessary For Systemic Anaphylaxismentioning

confidence: 95%

IL-9 Promotes but Is Not Necessary for Systemic Anaphylaxis

Knoops

Louahed

Snick

et al. 2005

“…Moreover, IL-9 deficiency in mice does not affect IL-4, or IL-13 T cell production (45,46). However, a recent study in a mouse model of asthma showed that anti-IL-9-neutralizing Ab reduced IL-4 and IL-13 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage of OVA-sensitized and -challenged mice (47). This inhibitory effect of neutralizing anti-IL-9 on Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) may be explained by reduced recruitment of T cells to the lung, rather than inhibitory activity on T cells (47).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

IL-9-Mediated Induction of Eotaxin1/CCL11 in Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells

Gounni

Hamid

Rahman

et al. 2004

Recent work has shown the potential importance of IL-9 in allergic diseases. The development of transgenic mice overexpressing IL-9 has suggested a key role for this cytokine in the development of the asthmatic phenotype including airway eosinophilia. In this study, we evaluated the expression of the IL-9R and the effects of IL-9 on human ASM cells by examining the release of Th2-associated chemokines (eotaxin1/CCL11 and thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)/CCL17). IL-9R α-chain mRNA and surface expression were detected in cultured human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. In addition, primary cultured ASM cells, as well as bronchial smooth muscle cells within biopsies of asthmatics and not control subjects, revealed IL-9R protein expression. IL-9 stimulation of human ASM cells resulted in release of eotaxin1/CCL11, but had no effect on the release of TARC/CCL17, in time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, in vitro chemotaxis assay demonstrated that conditioned medium from IL-9-stimulated ASM cells attracted human eosinophils. Neutralizing Abs to IL-9, but not to IL-4 or IL-13, reduced significantly IL-9-induced production of eotaxin1/CCL11 from ASM cells. Interestingly, real-time RT-PCR showed that IL-9 up-regulated eotaxin1/CCL11 mRNA expression, but had no effect on TARC/CCL17. Treatment with Act D abrogates IL-9-induced eotaxin1/CCL11 mRNA and protein release by ASM cells. Finally, transfection study using eotaxin1/CCL11 promoter luciferase construct confirmed that IL-9 induced eotaxin1/CCL11 at the transcriptional level. Taken together, these data provide new evidence demonstrating that IL-9-dependent activation of ASM cells contributes to eosinophilic inflammation observed in asthma.

“…In recent years various immunomodulators, including anti-IgE (11); anti-cytokine Abs (12,13); probiotics (14); CpG (15); synthetic YpG, CpR, and YpR immunostimulatory motifs (16); and mycobacterial Ags (17), which can up-regulate a type 1 T cell response, have shown therapeutic activity for allergen-induced asthma in both experimental animal models (2, 18) and a few clinical studies (19,20). However, many of these immunomodulators elicit serious side effects.…”

Section: Flt-3 Ligand Reverses Late Allergic Response and Airwaymentioning

confidence: 99%

Flt-3 Ligand Reverses Late Allergic Response and Airway Hyper-Responsiveness in a Mouse Model of Allergic Inflammation

Edwan

Perry²,

Talmadge

et al. 2004

Flt3 ligand (Flt3-L) is a growth factor for dendritic cells and induces type 1 T cell responses. We recently reported that Flt3-L prevented OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation and suppressed late allergic response and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). In the present study we examined whether Flt3-L reversed allergic airway inflammation in an established model of asthma. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA, and AHR to methacholine was established. Then mice with AHR were randomized and treated with PBS or 6 μg of Flt3-L i.p. for 10 days. Pulmonary functions and AHR to methacholine were examined after rechallenge with OVA. Treatment with Flt3-L of presensitized mice significantly suppressed (p < 0.001) the late allergic response, AHR, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid total cellularity, absolute eosinophil counts, and inflammation in the lung tissue. There was a significant decrease in proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-5) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, with a significant increase in serum IL-12 and a decrease in serum IL-5 levels. There was no significant effect of Flt3-L treatment on serum IL-4 and serum total IgE levels. Sensitization with OVA significantly increased CD11b+CD11c+ cells in the lung, and this phenomenon was not significantly affected by Flt3-L treatment. These data suggest that Flt3-L can reverse allergic airway inflammation and associated changes in pulmonary functions in murine asthma model.