Th1 and Th2 cells are required for both eosinophil- and neutrophil-associated airway inflammatory responses in mice.
Most current animal models focus on eosinophil-mediated asthma, despite compelling evidence that a neutrophil-mediated disease occurs in some asthma patients. Using intranasal challenge of mice sensitized either orally or nasally with whole peanut protein extract in the presence of cholera toxin, we developed mouse models of eosinophil- and neutrophil-mediated asthma, respectively. In this study, mice deficient in Th1 (IL-12 and IFN-gamma) or Th2 (IL-4 and IL-13) pathways were used to characterize the role played by Th1 and Th2 cytokines during the initial priming phase in the two models. Antigen-specific Ab responses were controlled primarily by Th2 cytokines in mice sensitized by the oral route, whereas Th1 cytokines appeared to play a predominant role in mice sensitized by the nasal route. Furthermore, the absence of key Th1 or Th2 cytokines during the initial phase of priming reduced lung reactivity in both mouse models of airway inflammation.
Fischer
Romy
R
Department of Microbiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
Tomé
Daniel
D
McGhee
Jerry R
JR
Boyaka
Prosper N
PN
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018375:Neutrophil Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D021183:Peanut Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*