Basophil-Derived Interleukin-4 Controls the Function of Natural Helper Cells, a Member of ILC2s, in Lung Inflammation

ABSTRACT Airway mycoplasma infection may be associated with asthma pathophysiology. However, the direct effects of mycoplasma infection on asthma remain unknown. Using a murine allergic-asthma model, we evaluated the effects of different timing of airway Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection on bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), lung inflammation, and the protein levels of Th1 (gamma interferon [IFN-γ]) and Th2 (interleukin 4 [IL-4]) cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. When mycoplasma infection occurred 3 days before allergen (ovalbumin) sensitization and challenge, the infection reduced the BHR and inflammatory-cell influx into the lung. This was accompanied by a significant induction of Th1 responses (increased IFN-γ and decreased IL-4 production). Conversely, when mycoplasma infection occurred 2 days after allergen sensitization and challenge, the infection initially caused a temporary reduction of BHR and then increased BHR, lung inflammation, and IL-4 levels. Our data suggest that mycoplasma infection could modulate both physiological and immunological responses in the murine asthma model. Our animal models may also provide a new means to understand the role of infection in asthma pathogenesis and give evidence for the asthma hygiene hypothesis.

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Peripheral Blood T-Helper Cells and Eosinophil Populations in Patients with Atopic and Nonatopic Chronic Rhinosinusitis

American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy ◽

10.2500/ajra.2017.31.4405 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. e8-e12 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Zhenxiao Huang ◽

Jayakar V. Nayak ◽

Yan Sun ◽

Qian Huang ◽

Bing Zhou

Keyword(s):

Chronic Rhinosinusitis ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

T Helper Cells ◽

Nasal Polyps ◽

Interferon Γ ◽

Interleukin 4 ◽

Th2 Cells ◽

T Helper ◽

Helper Cells ◽

Th1 And Th2

Background Analysis of recent research indicated that T-helper cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the peripheral blood Th1 and Th2 cells and eosinophil population in patients with CRS. Methods Peripheral blood samples were obtained from nine nonatopic controls, 37 patients with CRSsNP, and 66 patients with CRSwNP. The samples were then analyzed by flow cytometry analysis (Th1 cell [CD4+, interleukin 4−, interferon γ+]; and Th2 cell [CD4+, interleukin 4+, interferon γ−]). The patients were stratified into four groups based on their allergic status by using skin-prick test results and immunoglobulin E level measurements as the following: (1) nonatopic CRSsNP, (2) nonatopic CRSwNP, (3) atopic CRSsNP, and (4) atopic CRSwNP. Eosinophil counts were also compared. The severity of nasal diseases in these patients was assessed via the Lund-Mackay score. Results No significant differences in peripheral blood Th1 and Th2 cells were found among all the atopic, nonatopic CRS groups, and the nonatopic control groups. Peripheral blood eosinophil levels in atopic CRSwNP were significantly elevated compared with the nonatopic controls (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was found among all atopic and nonatopic CRS groups. Conclusion Analysis of our data demonstrated that a proportion of systemic Th1- and Th2-skewed lymphocytes in all CRS groups were similar to that in healthy subjects, irrespective of atopic status. The patients with CRSwNP and with atopy but not the patients with CRSsNP and with atopy demonstrated systemic eosinophilic inflammation. Further studies are needed to investigate underlying pathophysiologic mechanism or endotypes.

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