Catching Our Breath: Updates on the Role of Dendritic Cell Subsets in Asthma

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs), as potent antigen presenting cells, are known to play a central role in the pathophysiology of asthma. The understanding of DC biology has evolved over the years to include multiple subsets of DCs with distinct functions in the initiation and maintenance of asthma. Furthermore, asthma is increasingly recognized as a heterogeneous disease with potentially diverse underlying mechanisms. The goal of this review is to summarize the role of DCs and the various subsets therein in the pathophysiology of asthma and highlight some of the crucial animal models shaping the field today. Potential future avenues of investigation to address existing gaps in knowledge are discussed.

Comprehensive analysis of lung macrophages and dendritic cells in two murine models of allergic airway inflammation reveals model- and subset-specific accumulation and phenotypic alterations

“…identified CD11b + cDC as the main subset inducing Th2 cell-mediated immunity in HDM-mediated experimental allergic airway inflammation ( 41 ). While the contribution of CD11b + cDCs to AAI is widely accepted, the function of CD103 + remains controversially discussed ( 15 ). Overall, we detected significantly increased numbers of DC of both populations in the lung independent of the AAI model, which is contrast to reports of unchanged numbers of CD103 + DC in mouse models of AAI ( 15 ).…”

“…While the contribution of CD11b + cDCs to AAI is widely accepted, the function of CD103 + remains controversially discussed ( 15 ). Overall, we detected significantly increased numbers of DC of both populations in the lung independent of the AAI model, which is contrast to reports of unchanged numbers of CD103 + DC in mouse models of AAI ( 15 ). Significantly elevated numbers of CD103 + as well as CD11b + DC in HDM-AAI as compared to OVA-AAI however point at a stronger involvement of DC in HDM-mediated inflammation.…”

“…In the light of their efficiency in antigen processing and presenting together with their ability to induce Th2 responses, CD11b + cDC2 are thought to be key to the induction of allergic airway inflammation. In contrast, the role of CD103 + cDC1 is less clear and there are conflicting reports as to whether CD103 + DCs accumulate in the lung in AAI and promote or alleviate inflammation ( 15 ).…”

Discovery of Fungus-Derived Nornidulin as a Novel TMEM16A Inhibitor: A Potential Therapy to Inhibit Mucus Secretion in Asthma

“…Airway epithelial cell line, Calu-3 cells, was obtained from American Type Culture Collection (Manassas, VA, USA) and nourished in Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (catalog number: F7524) (Sigma-Aldrich Co., St. Louis, MO, USA), 100 U/mL penicillin, and 100 µg/mL streptomycin (catalog number: 15140122) (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Waltham, MA, USA) at 37 °C in a humidified incubator under an atmosphere of 95% O 2 /5% CO 2 . For Ussing chamber experiments, Calu-3 cells were seeded onto Snapwell inserts (catalog number: 3801) (Costar, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA) at a density of 5×10 5 cells/well and grown in a humidified incubator with culture medium renewal every day for two weeks.…”