Eosinophils are required for the induction of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in a Th transfer model of BALB/c background.
BACKGROUND
Helper T (Th) cells are deeply involved in the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma, such as eosinophilic inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), airflow limitation and remodeling. It is still unclear whether Th cells contribute to BHR independently of eosinophilic inflammation. The double GATA (dblGATA) site is a high-affinity GATA-binding site in the GATA-1 promoter. dblGATA site-deficient (Delta dblGATA) mice lack eosinophils.


METHODS
Ovalbumin (OVA)-reactive Th clones were transferred into Delta dblGATA and wild-type (WT) mice of BALB/c background. The number of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine were examined after OVA challenge.


RESULTS
The number of BALF eosinophils was significantly increased in WT mice, but not detectable in Delta dblGATA mice. BHR was also induced in WT mice, but significantly attenuated in Delta dblGATA mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Eosinophils are involved in T-cell-mediated BHR.
Ohtomo
Takayuki
T
National Hospital Organization, Sagamihara National Hospital, Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, Kanagawa, Japan.
Kaminuma
Osamu
O
Yamada
Junji
J
Kitamura
Noriko
N
Abe
Akemi
A
Kobayashi
Noriaki
N
Suko
Matsunobu
M
Mori
Akio
A
D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002452:Cell Count; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D050982:GATA1 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation*
D050982:GATA1 Transcription Factor; C494689:Gata1 protein, mouse; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D010047:Ovalbumin