Successful transfer of late phase eosinophil infiltration in the lung by infusion of helper T cell clones.
Bronchial asthma is characterized by chronic eosinophilic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. Accumulating evidences suggest that activated T cells and T cell cytokines play critical roles in the local accumulation and activation of eosinophils. To further delineate the critical role of T cells on asthma, we tested the possibility whether eosinophilic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa is induced by transferred T cell clones, in the absence of antigen-specific immunoglobulins (IgE, A, and G). Ovalbumin-specific Th2 clones were established and cytokine profiles were determined. Eosinophilic inflammation accompanied with airway hyperresponsiveness occurred only when unprimed mice were transferred with IL-5 producing Th2 clones and challenged by the inhalation of relevant antigen. Increase of IL-5 concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected after the challenge, indicating the local production of cytokines by the transferred T cells, and preceded the appearance of the airway eosinophilia. Eosinophil infiltration was completely suppressed by the administration of anti-IL-5 neutralizing antibody, indicating the essential role of IL-5 in this model. The intensity of the eosinophil accumulation in vivo correlated well with the capacity of the T cell clones to produce IL-5 in vitro. We concluded that the existence of IL-5-producing helper T cells is sufficient for the development of the eosinophilic inflammation at the bronchial mucosa upon inhalation challenge of the relevant antigen.
Kaminuma
O
O
Department of Medicine and Physical Therapy, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Mori
A
A
Ogawa
K
K
Nakata
A
A
Kikkawa
H
H
Naito
K
K
Suko
M
M
Okudaira
H
H
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000473:pathology*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000473:pathology*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*
D000906:Antibodies; D016207:Cytokines; D015848:Interleukin-5