IL-10 and regulatory T cells cooperate in allergen-specific immunotherapy to ameliorate allergic asthma

L Böhm, J Maxeiner, H Meyer-Martin… - The Journal of …, 2015 - journals.aai.org
L Böhm, J Maxeiner, H Meyer-Martin, S Reuter, S Finotto, M Klein, H Schild, E Schmitt…
The Journal of Immunology, 2015journals.aai.org
Human studies demonstrated that allergen-specific immunotherapy (IT) represents an
effective treatment for allergic diseases. IT involves repeated administration of the
sensitizing allergen, indicating a crucial contribution of T cells to its medicinal benefit.
However, the underlying mechanisms of IT, especially in a chronic disease, are far from
being definitive. In the current study, we sought to elucidate the suppressive mechanisms of
IT in a mouse model of chronic allergic asthma. OVA-sensitized mice were challenged with …
Abstract
Human studies demonstrated that allergen-specific immunotherapy (IT) represents an effective treatment for allergic diseases. IT involves repeated administration of the sensitizing allergen, indicating a crucial contribution of T cells to its medicinal benefit. However, the underlying mechanisms of IT, especially in a chronic disease, are far from being definitive. In the current study, we sought to elucidate the suppressive mechanisms of IT in a mouse model of chronic allergic asthma. OVA-sensitized mice were challenged with OVA or PBS for 4 wk. After development of chronic airway inflammation, mice received OVA-specific IT or placebo alternately to airway challenge for 3 wk. To analyze the T cell–mediated mechanisms underlying IT in vivo, we elaborated the role of T-bet–expressing Th1 cells, T cell–derived IL-10, and Ag-specific thymic as well as peripherally induced Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. IT ameliorated airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in a chronic asthma model. Of note, IT even resulted in a regression of structural changes in the airways following chronic inhaled allergen exposure. Concomitantly, IT induced Th1 cells, Foxp3+, and IL-10–producing Treg cells. Detailed analyses revealed that thymic Treg cells crucially contribute to the effectiveness of IT by promoting IL-10 production in Foxp3-negative T cells. Together with the peripherally induced Ag-specific Foxp3+ Treg cells, thymic Foxp3+ Treg cells orchestrate the curative mechanisms of IT. Taken together, we demonstrate that IT is effective in a chronic allergic disease and dependent on IL-10 and thymic as well as peripherally induced Ag-specific Treg cells.
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