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Journal ArticleDOI

Induction of Airway Mucus Production By T Helper 2 (Th2) Cells: A Critical Role For Interleukin 4 In Cell Recruitment But Not Mucus Production

Lauren Cohn1, Robert J. Homer1, Anthony Marinov1, John A. Rankin1, Kim Bottomly1 
17 Nov 1997-Journal of Experimental Medicine (The Rockefeller University Press)-Vol. 186, Iss: 10, pp 1737-1747
TL;DR: It is suggested that IL-4 is crucial for Th2 cell recruitment to the lung and for induction of inflammation, but has no direct role in mucus production.
Abstract: Airway inflammation is believed to stimulate mucus production in asthmatic patients. Increased mucus secretion is an important clinical symptom and contributes to airway obstruction in asthma. Activated CD4 Th1 and Th2 cells have both been identified in airway biopsies of asthmatics but their role in mucus production is not clear. Using CD4 T cells from mice transgenic for the OVA-specific TCR, we studied the role of Th1 and Th2 cells in airway inflammation and mucus production. Airway inflammation induced by Th2 cells was comprised of eosinophils and lymphocytes; features found in asthmatic patients. Additionally, there was a marked increase in mucus production in mice that received Th2 cells and inhaled OVA, but not in mice that received Th1 cells. However, OVA-specific Th2 cells from IL-4–deficient mice were not recruited to the lung and did not induce mucus production. When this defect in homing was overcome by administration of TNF-α, IL-4 −/− Th2 cells induced mucus as effectively as IL-4 +/+ Th2 cells. These studies establish a role for Th2 cells in mucus production and dissect the effector functions of IL-4 in these processes. These data suggest that IL-4 is crucial for Th2 cell recruitment to the lung and for induction of inflammation, but has no direct role in mucus production.

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Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Data support the importance of antigen-stimulated TH2 cells in the augmented response to infection in allergic mice and show a robust local eosinophilic response to TH2 passive sensitization followed by intranasal OVA.
Abstract: Background Previously, we showed that an ongoing nasal allergic response augmented bacterial sinusitis in mice. In those experiments mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) by means of intraperitoneal injections of OVA-alum and then exposed to OVA intranasally before being infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae . Objective We sought to study the importance of T H 2 cells and to eliminate potential alum effects. Methods In this study we sensitized mice by adoptively transferring OVA-specific T H 2- or T H 1-skewed cells. Results T H 2 passive sensitization followed by intranasal OVA showed a robust local eosinophilic response (5-fold increase) compared with that seen in mice with only T H 2 passive sensitization alone ( P H 2 passive sensitization and intranasal OVA exposure followed by infection showed an increase in the number of recovered S pneumoniae ( P P H 1 followed by intranasal OVA exposure and infection showed no significant increase in the recovery of S pneumoniae and sinus inflammation compared with those with infection alone. Conclusions These data support the importance of antigen-stimulated T H 2 cells in the augmented response to infection in allergic mice. Whether the increased infection is related to the direct effect of T H 2 cells and their cytokines or subsequent recruitment of other cells, such as eosinophils, will be determined in further studies.

19 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Ad adoptive transfer of T‐helper 1 cells results in reversible alveolitis but does not lead to pulmonary fibrosis, indicating the reversibility of the Th1-induced pathology.
Abstract: T‐helper (Th)1 cells have a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Continued low-level exposure to the antigens may induce chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis with lung fibrosis. Although such exposure may activate Th1 cells in the lung, it is not known whether activation of Th1 cells per se can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. To determine this, the lung pathology induced by Th1 clones was investigated. Mice (BALB/c) were injected intraperitoneally with Th1 clones 1–4 times. Each injection was performed 4 days apart and was followed by repeated exposure to aerosolised ovalbumin (OVA) once a day for 5 days. The number of macrophages and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) increased as the number of Th1 transfers increased. The number of neutrophils also increased but peaked in the second transfer and then decreased following further transfers. Increased cell infiltration, thickness of alveolar walls and number of type II cells in the lung occurred. However, histological findings showed no evidence of fibrosis and hydroxyproline levels did not increase. Findings of histology and BALF were ameliorated 2 weeks after the discontinuation of OVA exposure, indicating the reversibility of the Th1-induced pathology. In conclusion, adoptive transfer of T‐helper 1 cells results in reversible alveolitis but does not lead to pulmonary fibrosis.

19 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Several studies are discussed and the need for further investigation into remodeling theory is supported, which offers insight into the permanent biomechanical and pathologic alterations of asthmatic airways.

19 citations


Cites background from "Induction of Airway Mucus Productio..."

  • ...challenged mice develop metaplasia, with Th2 cells as mediators [154–159]....

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  • ...[158] Cohn L, Homer RJ, Marinov A, et al....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that allergen-induced MCM is a response to a combination of various cytokines at defined concentrations and that IFN-γ requires Bax for the resolution of MCM.
Abstract: One of the major aspects of airway remodeling in asthma is the development of mucous cell metaplasia (MCM). The role of cytokines in the generation and resolution of MCM has been studied in mice and in isolated airway epithelial cells in culture. However, studies using organ cultures that keep the tubular structure of the airways intact and allow studies in the absence of inflammatory cells have not been reported. We established an organ culture system that replicates the allergen-induced MCM in mice and analyzed the role of Bax in the IFN-γ–induced resolution of MCM. IL-9 or IL-13 induced MCM independently, but a combined IL-9/IL-13 treatment enhanced MCM synergistically. Addition of IFN-γ at 0.1 ng/ml concentration further increased MCM to levels observed in allergen-exposed mice in vivo. However, MCM was reduced when explants were treated with 50 ng/ml IFN-γ after MCM was established. While IL-9/IL-13 induced MCM in bronchioles microdissected from bax+/+ and bax−/− mice to a similar extent, IFN-γ treatment reduced MCM only in bronchioles from bax+/+ but not in bax−/− bronchioles. Restoration of Bax expression in bax−/− bronchioles using an adenoviral expression system reduced IL-9/IL-13–induced MCM while MCM was similar in noninfected or adenoviral green fluorescent protein–infected bax−/− bronchioles. Furthermore, expressing Bax using an adenoviral expression system reduced allergen-induced MCM in mice. These studies show that allergen-induced MCM is a response to a combination of various cytokines at defined concentrations and that IFN-γ requires Bax for the resolution of MCM.

19 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that acute disease was characterized by airway hyperreactivity, eosinophilic lung inflammation, excessive mucus production, and antigen-specific antibody and was rapidly followed by a remission and a remission, respectively.

19 citations

References
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Journal Article
TL;DR: A panel of antigen-specific mouse helper T cell clones was characterized according to patterns of lymphokine activity production, and two types of T cell were distinguished.
Abstract: A panel of antigen-specific mouse helper T cell clones was characterized according to patterns of lymphokine activity production, and two types of T cell were distinguished. Type 1 T helper cells (TH1) produced IL 2, interferon-gamma, GM-CSF, and IL 3 in response to antigen + presenting cells or to Con A, whereas type 2 helper T cells (TH2) produced IL 3, BSF1, and two other activities unique to the TH2 subset, a mast cell growth factor distinct from IL 3 and a T cell growth factor distinct from IL 2. Clones representing each type of T cell were characterized, and the pattern of lymphokine activities was consistent within each set. The secreted proteins induced by Con A were analyzed by biosynthetic labeling and SDS gel electrophoresis, and significant differences were seen between the two groups of T cell line. Both types of T cell grew in response to alternating cycles of antigen stimulation, followed by growth in IL 2-containing medium. Examples of both types of T cell were also specific for or restricted by the I region of the MHC, and the surface marker phenotype of the majority of both types was Ly-1+, Lyt-2-, L3T4+, Both types of helper T cell could provide help for B cells, but the nature of the help differed. TH1 cells were found among examples of T cell clones specific for chicken RBC and mouse alloantigens. TH2 cells were found among clones specific for mouse alloantigens, fowl gamma-globulin, and KLH. The relationship between these two types of T cells and previously described subsets of T helper cells is discussed.

7,567 citations


"Induction of Airway Mucus Productio..." refers background in this paper

  • ...The lower limit of sensitivity for each of the ELISAs was 0.6 ng/ml (IFNg ), 5 pg/ml (IL-4), 0.010 ng/ml (IL-5), and 200 pg/ml (IL-10)....

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  • ...CD4 Th2 cells make a different panel of cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 (17, 18)....

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  • ...Assays were standardized with recombinant IFNg , IL-5, IL-10 (Endogen), and IL-4 (Collaborative Research, Inc.)....

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  • ...1 A ), and IL-10 (data not shown)....

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  • ...IL-4 2/2 OVA-specific Th2 cells produced comparable levels of IL-5 and IL-10 when compared to IL-4 1/1 OVA-specific Th2 cells, but IL-4 was produced only by IL-4 1/1 Th2 cells....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Atopic asthma is associated with activation in the bronchi of the interleukin-3, 4, and 5 and GM-CSF gene cluster, a pattern compatible with predominant activation of the TH2-like T-cell population.
Abstract: Background. In atopic asthma, activated T helper lymphocytes are present in bronchial-biopsy specimens and bronchoalveolar-lavage (BAL) fluid, and their production of cytokines may be important in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Different patterns of cytokine release are characteristic of certain subgroups of T helper cells, termed TH1 and TH2, the former mediating delayed-type hypersensitivity and the latter mediating IgE synthesis and eosinophilia. The pattern of cytokine production in atopic asthma is unknown. Methods. We assessed cells obtained by BAL in subjects with mild atopic asthma and in normal control subjects for the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for interleukin-2, 3, 4, and 5, granulocytemacrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interferon gamma by in situ hybridization with 32P-labeled complementary RNA. Localization of mRNA to BAL T cells was assessed by simultaneous in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence and by in situ hybridization after immunomagnetic enrichment or...

2,898 citations


"Induction of Airway Mucus Productio..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Th2 cells secreting IL-4 and IL-5 have been shown to be present and activated in the bronchial wall of asthmatic individuals (9, 23)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper used hybridoma monoclonal antibodies obtained after immunization of mice with rat cells to study rat cell-surface antigens present on subpopulations of rat lymphocytes.
Abstract: Xenogeneic immunizations have the advantage of detecting a wide range of antigenic determinants because many commonly occurring proteins have diverged significantly during the course of evolution and are thus antigenic in other species. The broadness of xenogeneic responses, however, means that the antisera they produce are usually complex and require extensive absorptions to make them specific for a single antigen. This problem has now been overcome by generating hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (Kohler & Milstein 1975). These permit dissection ofthe xenogeneic response so that large amounts of individual antibodies can be obtained, each of which recognizes only one of the determinants recognized by a broadly reactive conventional antiserum. Williams et al. (1977) used hybridoma monoclonal antibodies obtained after immunizations of mice with rat cells to study rat cell-surface antigens present on subpopulations of rat lymphocytes, i.e., differentiation antigens. Springer et al. (1978a) and Stern et al. (1978) used a similar approach to study mouse lymphocyte antigens. They prepared monoclonal antibodies by immunizing rats with mouse lymphocytes and showed that these monoclonals recognized previously undetected mouse cell surface determinants including a glycoprotein antigen that appears to be specific for macrophages (Springer et al. 1978b). Trowbridge (1978) also used rat anti-mouse immunizations to generate a monoclonal antibody against the non-polymorphic lymphocyte surface antigen T200.

1,916 citations


"Induction of Airway Mucus Productio..." refers methods in this paper

  • ...To generate Th1 or Th2 cells from DO11.10 mice, CD4 T cells were isolated by negative selection as previously described (31) using mAbs to CD8 (clone 53-6.72, clone 2.43 [ 32 ]), Class II MHC I-A d (212.A1 [33]) and anti‐Ig-coated magnetic beads (Advanced Magnetics, Inc....

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Journal ArticleDOI
21 Dec 1990-Science
TL;DR: Results provide direct evidence for the in vivo role of apoptosis in the development of antigen-induced tolerance in mice transgenic for a T cell receptor that reacts to this peptide.
Abstract: In order to examine the mechanisms by which clonal deletion of autoreactive T cells occurs, a peptide antigen was used to induce deletion of antigen-reactive thymocytes in vivo. Mice transgenic for a T cell receptor (TCR) that reacts to this peptide contain thymocytes that progress from the immature to the mature phenotype. Intraperitoneal administration of the peptide antigen to transgenic mice results in a rapid deletion of the immature CD4+ CD8+ TCRlo thymocytes. Apoptosis of cortical thymocytes can be seen within 20 hours of treatment. These results provide direct evidence for the in vivo role of apoptosis in the development of antigen-induced tolerance.

1,831 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 1991-Science
TL;DR: Some but not all of the in vitro properties of IL-4 are critical for the physiology of the immune system in vivo, but the serum levels of IgG1 and IgE are strongly reduced.
Abstract: Interleukin-4 (IL-4) promotes the growth and differentiation of many hematopoietic cells in vitro; in particular, it directs the immunoglobulin (Ig) class switch to IgG1 and IgE. Mice homozygous for a mutation that inactivates the IL-4 gene were generated to test the requirement for IL-4 in vivo. In the mutant mice T and B cell development was normal, but the serum levels of IgG1 and IgE were strongly reduced. The IgG1 dominance in a T cell-dependent immune response was lost, and IgE was not detectable upon nematode infection. Thus, some but not all of the in vitro properties of IL-4 are critical for the physiology of the immune system in vivo.

1,262 citations