scholarly journals Understanding the Generation and Regulation of IL-4 Producing T Helper 2 Cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Helen Mearns

<p>A keenly sought therapeutic approach for the treatment of allergic disease is the identification and neutralization of the cytokine that regulates the differentiation of Th2 cells. Th2 cells are CD4 T cells differentiated to secrete IL-4. These cells are exciting new targets for asthma therapies due to the key role they play in allergic airway diseases. Recently the cytokine IL-25 has been shown to enhance Th2 cell activity and play important roles in mediating allergic inflammatory responses. To investigate this further we crossed IL-25 deficient mice with GFP-IL-4 reporter mice and developed an assay of in vitro and in vivo IL-4 independent Th2 differentiation. These assays were used to determine whether IL-25 was critical for the formation of Th2 cells. We found there was no physiological role for IL-25 in either the differentiation of Th2 cells or their development to effector or memory Th2 subsets. In the strong Th2 setting of a helminth infection the absence of IL-25 resulted in no defects in the effector type 2 responses associated with T helper type 2 immunity including, mucous hyperplasia, class switching to IgE and protection against challenge infections. Importantly this data challenges the newly found and growing status of the cytokine IL-25 and its proposed role in promoting Th2 responses. The second part of this thesis investigated whether the genomic organisation, which reflects commitment to Th2 cytokine expression, could provide a clearer definition of a functional in vivo Th2 cell. Two distinct IL-4 reporter mice were crossed and Th2 in vivo assays were developed that allowed tracking of the individual alleles of IL-4 in a variety of tissue types and Th2 subsets. Interestingly in vivo expression of IL-4 is mostly monoallelic yet there is a small highly activated population of biallelic IL-4 expressing Th2 cells. Physiologically each allele of IL-4 was required for a functional Th2 response with total serum IgE titres up to 4 fold lower in IL-4+/- heterozygous compared to the IL-4+/+ sufficient animals and a significant loss in protective immunity against challenge infections with helminths occurred in the IL-4+/- heterozygous animals. The similarity in deficiencies in Th2 immunity in the IL-4+/- heterozygous and IL-4-/- deficient compared to the IL-4+/+ sufficient animals lead to the proposal that the generation of biallelic Th2 cells may be required for specialised cell-to-cell mediated delivery of tailored activation signals and higher quantities of IL-4 required to mediate fully developed Th2 immune responses.</p>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Helen Mearns

<p>A keenly sought therapeutic approach for the treatment of allergic disease is the identification and neutralization of the cytokine that regulates the differentiation of Th2 cells. Th2 cells are CD4 T cells differentiated to secrete IL-4. These cells are exciting new targets for asthma therapies due to the key role they play in allergic airway diseases. Recently the cytokine IL-25 has been shown to enhance Th2 cell activity and play important roles in mediating allergic inflammatory responses. To investigate this further we crossed IL-25 deficient mice with GFP-IL-4 reporter mice and developed an assay of in vitro and in vivo IL-4 independent Th2 differentiation. These assays were used to determine whether IL-25 was critical for the formation of Th2 cells. We found there was no physiological role for IL-25 in either the differentiation of Th2 cells or their development to effector or memory Th2 subsets. In the strong Th2 setting of a helminth infection the absence of IL-25 resulted in no defects in the effector type 2 responses associated with T helper type 2 immunity including, mucous hyperplasia, class switching to IgE and protection against challenge infections. Importantly this data challenges the newly found and growing status of the cytokine IL-25 and its proposed role in promoting Th2 responses. The second part of this thesis investigated whether the genomic organisation, which reflects commitment to Th2 cytokine expression, could provide a clearer definition of a functional in vivo Th2 cell. Two distinct IL-4 reporter mice were crossed and Th2 in vivo assays were developed that allowed tracking of the individual alleles of IL-4 in a variety of tissue types and Th2 subsets. Interestingly in vivo expression of IL-4 is mostly monoallelic yet there is a small highly activated population of biallelic IL-4 expressing Th2 cells. Physiologically each allele of IL-4 was required for a functional Th2 response with total serum IgE titres up to 4 fold lower in IL-4+/- heterozygous compared to the IL-4+/+ sufficient animals and a significant loss in protective immunity against challenge infections with helminths occurred in the IL-4+/- heterozygous animals. The similarity in deficiencies in Th2 immunity in the IL-4+/- heterozygous and IL-4-/- deficient compared to the IL-4+/+ sufficient animals lead to the proposal that the generation of biallelic Th2 cells may be required for specialised cell-to-cell mediated delivery of tailored activation signals and higher quantities of IL-4 required to mediate fully developed Th2 immune responses.</p>


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeki Katoh

Interactions between CD44 and hyaluronan (HA) are crucial for recruiting leukocytes to inflamed tissues. This review summarizes findings from our studies of the roles of CD44-HA interactions in leukocyte trafficking, with a particular focus on airway T helper type 2 (Th2) cells in mouse models of acute asthma. In a mite allergen-induced model of acute asthma, intraperitoneal injection of anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies blocked lymphocytes and eosinophils from accumulating in the lung, and suppressed both the antigen-induced increase in Th2 cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). CD44 deficiency was associated with decreased mite allergen-induced Th2 cell-mediated airway inflammation and AHR in sensitized mice. Asthmatic responses to antigen-sensitized splenic CD4+ T cells transferred from CD44-deficient mice were weaker than in wild-type mice. Administration of anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies preferentially suppressed the airway accumulation of antigen-specific Th2 cells induced by antigen challenge, without affecting Th1 and Th17 cells. Increased HA-binding ability of CD44 and expression of Neu1 sialidase were observed on antigen-specific Th2 cells compared with antigen-specific Th1 and Th17 cells. Finally, in a mouse model of acute asthma, neuraminidase 1-deficient SM/J mice exhibited a lower Th2 cytokine concentration and a lower absolute Th2 cell number in the BALF, as well as an attenuated AHR. Our findings indicate that CD44 critically contributes to the antigen challenge-induced airway accumulation of antigen-specific Th2 cells, without affecting Th1 and Th17 cells, in mice. Furthermore, neuraminidase 1 activity is necessary for the interaction between HA and CD44, and Th2 cell-mediated airway inflammation.


2000 ◽  
Vol 191 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare M. Lloyd ◽  
Tracy Delaney ◽  
Trang Nguyen ◽  
Jane Tian ◽  
Carlos Martinez-A ◽  
...  

Isolated peripheral blood CD4 cells from allergic individuals express CC chemokine receptor (CCR)3 and CCR4 after expansion in vitro. In addition, human T helper type 2 (Th2) cells polarized in vitro selectively express CCR3 and CCR4 at certain stages of activation/differentiation and respond preferentially to the ligands eotaxin and monocyte-derived chemokine (MDC). However, controversy arises when the in vivo significance of this distinct expression is discussed. To address the functional role of CCR3/eotaxin and CCR4/MDC during the in vivo recruitment of Th2 cells, we have transferred effector Th cells into naive mice to induce allergic airway disease. Tracking of these cells after repeated antigen challenge has established that both CCR3/eotaxin and CCR4/MDC axes contribute to the recruitment of Th2 cells to the lung, demonstrating the in vivo relevance of the expression of these receptors on Th2 cells. We have shown that involvement of the CCR3/eotaxin pathway is confined to early stages of the response in vivo, whereas repeated antigen stimulation results in the predominant use of the CCR4/MDC pathway. We propose that effector Th2 cells respond to both CCR3/eotaxin and CCR4/MDC pathways initially, but that a progressive increase in CCR4-positive cells results in the predominance of the CCR4/MDC axis in the long-term recruitment of Th2 cells in vivo.


1998 ◽  
Vol 188 (8) ◽  
pp. 1485-1492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damo Xu ◽  
Woon Ling Chan ◽  
Bernard P. Leung ◽  
David Hunter ◽  
Kerstin Schulz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Helper ◽  
Th2 Cell ◽  
A Cell ◽  

Interleukin (IL)-18 induces interferon (IFN)-γ synthesis and synergizes with IL-12 in T helper type 1 (Th1) but not Th2 cell development. We report here that IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) is selectively expressed on murine Th1 but not Th2 cells. IL-18R mRNA was expressed constitutively and consistently in long-term cultured clones, as well as on newly polarized Th1 but not Th2 cells. IL-18 sustained the expression of IL-12Rβ2 mRNA, indicating that IL-18R transmits signals that maintain Th1 development through the IL-12R complex. In turn, IL-12 upregulated IL-18R mRNA. Antibody against an IL-18R–derived peptide bound Th1 but not Th2 clones. It also labeled polarized Th1 but not Th2 cells derived from naive ovalbumin–T cell antigen receptor-αβ transgenic mice (D011.10). Anti–IL-18R antibody inhibited IL-18– induced IFN-γ production by Th1 clones in vitro. In vivo, anti–IL-18R antibody reduced local inflammation and lipopolysaccharide-induced mortality in mice. This was accompanied by shifting the balance from Th1 to Th2 responses, manifest as decreased IFN-γ and proinflammatory cytokine production and increased IL-4 and IL-5 synthesis. Therefore, these data provide a direct mechanism for the selective effect of IL-18 on Th1 but not Th2 cells. They also show that the synergistic effect of IL-12 and IL-18 on Th1 development may be due to the reciprocal upregulation of their receptors. Furthermore, IL-18R is a cell surface marker distinguishing Th1 from Th2 cells and may be a therapeutic target.


1999 ◽  
Vol 190 (5) ◽  
pp. 617-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Nishimura ◽  
Kenji Iwakabe ◽  
Masashi Sekimoto ◽  
Yasushi Ohmi ◽  
Takashi Yahata ◽  
...  

The role of T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells in tumor immunity was investigated using Th cells induced from ovalbumin (OVA)-specific T cell receptor transgenic mice. Although Th1 cells exhibited stronger cytotoxicity than Th2 cells, both cell types completely eradicated tumors when transferred into mice bearing A20 tumor cells transfected with the OVA gene (A20-OVA). Th1 cells eradicated the tumor mass by inducing cellular immunity, whereas Th2 cells destroyed the tumor by inducing tumor necrosis. Both Th1 and Th2 cells required CD8+ T cells to eliminate tumors, and neither of these cells were able to completely eliminate A20-OVA tumors from T and B cell–deficient RAG2−/− mice. Mice cured from tumors by Th1 and Th2 cell therapy rejected A20-OVA upon rechallenge, but CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes were induced only from spleen cells prepared from cured mice by Th1 cell therapy. Moreover, we demonstrated that Th1 and Th2 cells used distinct adhesion mechanisms during tumor eradication: the leukocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1–dependent cell–cell adhesion step was essential for Th1 cell therapy, but not for Th2 cell therapy. These findings demonstrated for the first time the distinct role of antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 cells during eradication of established tumors in vivo.


2009 ◽  
Vol 206 (5) ◽  
pp. 991-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arielle Glatman Zaretsky ◽  
Justin J. Taylor ◽  
Irah L. King ◽  
Fraser A. Marshall ◽  
Markus Mohrs ◽  
...  

The relationship of T follicular helper (TFH) cells to other T helper (Th) subsets is controversial. We find that after helminth infection, or immunization with helminth antigens, reactive lymphoid organs of 4get IL-4/GFP reporter mice contain populations of IL-4/GFP-expressing CD4+ T cells that display the TFH markers CXCR5, PD-1, and ICOS. These TFH cells express the canonical TFH markers BCL6 and IL-21, but also GATA3, the master regulator of Th2 cell differentiation. Consistent with a relationship between Th2 and TFH cells, IL-4 protein production, reported by expression of huCD2 in IL-4 dual reporter (4get/KN2) mice, was a robust marker of TFH cells in LNs responding to helminth antigens. Moreover, the majority of huCD2/IL-4–producing Th cells were found within B cell follicles, consistent with their definition as TFH cells. TFH cell development after immunization failed to occur in mice lacking B cells or CD154. The relationship of TFH cells to the Th2 lineage was confirmed when TFH cells were found to develop from CXCR5− PD-1− IL-4/GFP+ CD4+ T cells after their transfer into naive mice and antigen challenge in vivo.


2000 ◽  
Vol 191 (11) ◽  
pp. 1869-1880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masakatsu Yamashita ◽  
Makoto Katsumata ◽  
Makio Iwashima ◽  
Motoko Kimura ◽  
Chiori Shimizu ◽  
...  

The activation of downstream signaling pathways of both T cell receptor (TCR) and interleukin 4 receptor (IL-4R) is essential for T helper type 2 (Th2) cell development, which is central to understanding immune responses against helminthic parasites and in allergic and autoimmune diseases. However, little is known about how these two distinct signaling pathways cooperate with each other to induce Th2 cells. Here, we show that successful Th2 cell development depends on the effectiveness of TCR-induced activation of calcineurin. An inhibitor of calcineurin activation, FK506, inhibited the in vitro anti-TCR–induced Th2 cell generation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the development of Th2 cells was significantly impaired in naive T cells from dominant-negative calcineurin Aα transgenic mice, whereas that of Th1 cells was less affected. Efficient calcineurin activation in naive T cells upregulated Janus kinase (Jak)3 transcription and the amount of protein. The generation of Th2 cells induced in vitro by anti-TCR stimulation was inhibited significantly by the presence of Jak3 antisense oligonucleotides, suggesting that the Jak3 upregulation is an important event for the Th2 cell development. Interestingly, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)5 became physically and functionally associated with the IL-4R in the anti-TCR–activated developing Th2 cells that received efficient calcineurin activation, and also in established cloned Th2 cells. In either cell population, the inhibition of STAT5 activation resulted in a diminished IL-4–induced proliferation. Moreover, our results suggest that IL-4–induced STAT5 activation is required for the expansion process of developing Th2 cells. Thus, Th2 cell development is controlled by TCR-mediated activation of the Ca2+/calcineurin pathway, at least in part, by modifying the functional structure of the IL-4R signaling complex.


2001 ◽  
Vol 193 (5) ◽  
pp. 573-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen W. Chensue ◽  
Nicholas W. Lukacs ◽  
Tong-Yuan Yang ◽  
Xiaozhou Shang ◽  
Kirsten A. Frait ◽  
...  

Chemokine receptors transduce signals important for the function and trafficking of leukocytes. Recently, it has been shown that CC chemokine receptor (CCR)8 is selectively expressed by Th2 subsets, but its functional relevance is unclear. To address the biological role of CCR8, we generated CCR8 deficient (−/−) mice. Here we report defective T helper type 2 (Th2) immune responses in vivo in CCR8−/− mice in models of Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen (SEA)-induced granuloma formation as well as ovalbumin (OVA)- and cockroach antigen (CRA)-induced allergic airway inflammation. In these mice, the response to SEA, OVA, and CRA showed impaired Th2 cytokine production that was associated with aberrant type 2 inflammation displaying a 50 to 80% reduction in eosinophils. In contrast, a prototypical Th1 immune response, elicited by Mycobacteria bovis purified protein derivative (PPD) was unaffected by CCR8 deficiency. Mechanistic analyses indicated that Th2 cells developed normally and that the reduction in eosinophil recruitment was likely due to systemic reduction in interleukin 5. These results indicate an important role for CCR8 in Th2 functional responses in vivo.


2002 ◽  
Vol 196 (7) ◽  
pp. 969-977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea L. Wurster ◽  
Vikki L. Rodgers ◽  
Abhay R. Satoskar ◽  
Matthew J. Whitters ◽  
Deborah A. Young ◽  
...  

The cytokine potential of developing T helper (Th) cells is directly shaped both positively and negatively by the cytokines expressed by the effector Th cell subsets. Here we find that the recently identified cytokine, interleukin (IL)-21, is preferentially expressed by Th2 cells when compared with Th1 cells generated in vitro and in vivo. Exposure of naive Th precursors to IL-21 inhibits interferon (IFN)-γ production from developing Th1 cells. The repression of IFN-γ production is specific in that the expression of other Th1 and Th2 cytokines is unaffected. IL-21 decreases the IL-12 responsiveness of developing Th cells by specifically reducing both signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 protein and mRNA expression. These results suggest that Th2 cell-derived IL-21 regulates the development of IFN-γ–producing Th1 cells which could serve to amplify a Th2 response.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document