IL-9-deficient mice establish fundamental roles for IL-9 in pulmonary mastocytosis and goblet cell hyperplasia but not T cell development.
Interleukin-9 is a cytokine produced by Th2 cells and is a candidate gene for asthma and atopy. We have generated IL-9-deficient mice to delineate the specific roles of IL-9 in Th2 responses. Using a pulmonary granuloma model, we have demonstrated a distinct requirement for IL-9 in the rapid and robust generation of pulmonary goblet cell hyperplasia and mastocytosis in response to lung challenge. In contrast, eosinophilia and granuloma formation were not affected. IL-9 was not required for T cell development or differentiation, the generation of naive or antigen-driven antibody responses, or the expulsion of the intestinal parasitic nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Thus, deletion of IL-9 manifests as a highly defined phenotype in Th2 responses modulating mucus production and mast cell proliferation.
Townsend
J M
JM
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Fallon
G P
GP
Matthews
J D
JD
Smith
P
P
Jolin
E H
EH
McKenzie
N A
NA
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000502:physiology; D018390:Gene Targeting; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D015769:Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D016906:Interleukin-9 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008415:Mastocytosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009559:Nippostrongylus / Q000276:immunology; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology
D016207:Cytokines; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D016906:Interleukin-9