Differential roles for the IL-9/IL-9 receptor alpha-chain pathway in systemic and oral antigen-induced anaphylaxis.
BACKGROUND
The cytokine IL-9 has been implicated in allergic reactions, including food allergy, but its contribution to parenteral versus oral antigen-induced anaphylaxis remains unclear.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to delineate the contribution of the IL-9/IL-9 receptor alpha-chain (IL-9R) pathway to parenteral and oral antigen-induced anaphylaxis.


METHODS
Wild-type, IL-9-deficient (Il9(-/-)), and IL-9R-deficient (Il9R(-/-)) mice were subjected to passive and active parenteral and oral antigen (ovalbumin [OVA])-induced anaphylaxis. Severity of systemic anaphylaxis was gauged by decreased body temperature; intestinal anaphylaxis was assessed based on secretory diarrhea, intestinal mastocytosis, and serum murine mast cell protease 1 level. Specific immunoglobulin isotypes or immunoglobulin receptor-blocking antibodies were administered before challenge to define the role of the IgE and IgG pathways.


RESULTS
Repeated oral antigen challenge of OVA-sensitized wild-type mice induced anaphylaxis with both systemic and intestinal involvement; both were IgE dependent and attenuated in Il9(-/-) and Il9R(-/-) mice. In contrast, parenteral OVA challenge of OVA-sensitized wild-type mice induced systemic anaphylaxis, which was independent of the IL-9/IL-9R pathway. Strikingly, the IL-9/IL-9R pathway had no role in either the IgG or IgE component of parenteral antigen-induced or anti-IgE and anti-FcgammaRII/III mAb-induced systemic anaphylaxis.


CONCLUSIONS
Parenteral antigen-induced murine systemic anaphylaxis is mediated by both IgG- and IgE-dependent pathways, and both can occur independently of IL-9/IL-9R signaling. In contrast, oral antigen-induced intestinal and systemic anaphylaxis is strictly IgE mediated and requires IL-9/IL-9R signaling. These studies indicate differential involvement of the IL-9/IL-9R pathway in systemic and oral antigen-induced anaphylaxis.
Osterfeld
Heather
H
Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA.
Ahrens
Richard
R
Strait
Richard
R
Finkelman
Fred D
FD
Renauld
Jean-Christophe
JC
Hogan
Simon P
SP
D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D016906:Interleukin-9 / Q000276:immunology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D053651:Receptors, Interleukin-9 / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D016906:Interleukin-9; D053651:Receptors, Interleukin-9; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin