IL-2 receptor beta-chain signaling controls immunosuppressive CD4+ T cells in the draining lymph nodes and lung during allergic airway inflammation in vivo.
IL-2 influences both survival and differentiation of CD4(+) T effector and regulatory T cells. We studied the effect of i.n. administration of Abs against the alpha- and the beta-chains of the IL-2R in a murine model of allergic asthma. Blockade of the beta- but not the alpha-chain of the IL-2R after allergen challenge led to a significant reduction of airway hyperresponsiveness. Although both treatments led to reduction of lung inflammation, IL-2 signaling, STAT-5 phosphorylation, and Th2-type cytokine production (IL-4 and IL-5) by lung T cells, IL-13 production and CD4(+) T cell survival were solely inhibited by the blockade of the IL-2R beta-chain. Moreover, local blockade of the common IL-2R/IL-15R beta-chain reduced NK cell number and IL-2 production by lung CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells while inducing IL-10- and TGF-beta-producing CD4(+) T cells in the lung. This cytokine milieu was associated with reduced CD4(+) T cell proliferation in the draining lymph nodes. Thus, local blockade of the beta-chain of the IL-2R restored an immunosuppressive cytokine milieu in the lung that ameliorated both inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in experimental allergic asthma. These findings provide novel insights into the functional role of IL-2 signaling in experimental asthma and suggest that blockade of the IL-2R beta-chain might be useful for therapy of allergic asthma in humans.
Doganci
Aysefa
A
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology of the Lung, I. Medical Clinic, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Karwot
Roman
R
Maxeiner
Joachim H
JH
Scholtes
Petra
P
Schmitt
Edgar
E
Neurath
Markus F
MF
Lehr
Hans Anton
HA
Ho
I-Cheng
IC
Finotto
Susetta
S
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D017209:Apoptosis; D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053646:Interleukin-2 Receptor beta Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D000906:Antibodies; D016207:Cytokines; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D053646:Interleukin-2 Receptor beta Subunit