IFN-γ上调Th17/IL-17应答介导衣原体呼吸道感染免疫保护

目的 探讨IFN-γ在小鼠沙眼衣原体感染中对Th17/IL-17应答的调节作用.方法 利用沙眼衣原体鼠肺炎株小鼠呼吸道感染模型,用抗鼠IFN-γ单克隆抗体吸入中和肺组织IFN-γ,对照组给予同等剂量的独特型抗体IgG2a,于感染后7 d处死小鼠.免疫酶法检测小鼠肺组织衣原体生长;利用RT-PCR技术检测衣原体感染小鼠肺组织中Th17相关因子IL-17及其上游因子IL-23 mRNA的表达;细胞内细胞因子染色检测衣原体感染小鼠脾脏IL-17-CD4+T细胞的扩增.结果 与对照组相比,IFN-γ抗体中和小鼠有严重的疾病状态,包括明显的体重下降、肺组织更高的衣原体负荷和肺组织更严重的病理损伤;肺组织IL-17和IL-23 mRNA的表达水平显著降低;脾脏IL-17-CD4+T细胞百分率也显著降低.结论 小鼠衣原体感染中,IFN-γ通过上调Th17/IL-17应答起保护作用.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the regulation of IFN-γ to Th17 response in Chlamydia muridarum (Cm) lung infection in mice. Methods A murine model of pneumonia induced by intranasal inoculation of Cm was used for this study. Anti-mouse IFN-γ McAbs were used to neutralize endogenous IFN-γfollowing Cm lung infection. Control group received the same dose of isotype antibody (IgG2a). Mice were sacrificed at day 7 postinfection. Chlamydial growth in the lung was assessed by immunoenzyme technique.IL-17 and IL-23 mRNA expression in the lung was assayed by RT-PCR and the proliferation of IL-17 + CD4 +T cells in the spleen was assayed by intracellular cytokine staining. Results IFN-γ-neutralized mice exhibited serious disease course, include greater body weight loss, higher organism growth and much more severe pathological changes in the lung compared with control mice. The mRNA expression of IL-17 and IL-23 in the lung and the proliferation of IL-17 + CD4 + T cells in the spleen significantly decreased in the IL-17- neutralized mice. Conclusion IFN-γ was protective in Cm lung infection through up-regulating the antigen specific Th17 responses.     

Diversion of CD4+ T cell development from regulatory T helper to effector T helper cells alters the contact hypersensitivity response

Cutaneous sensitization to reactive haptens and subsequent challenge results in a T cell-mediated response, contact hypersensitivity (CHS). Recent results from this laboratory have indicated that hapten sensitization induces two populations of reactive T cells: CD8⁺ T cells producing interferon (IFN)-γ which mediate the response and CD4⁺ T cells producing interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 which negatively regulate the magnitude and duration of the response. Since CD4⁺ T cell development to either IFN-γ- (Th1) or IL-4/IL-10- (Th2)-producing cells is dependent upon the cytokine environment during antigen priming, we hypothesized that CD4⁺ T cell induction in a Th1-promoting environment would not only alter the CD4⁺ T cell cytokine-producing phenotype but also the course of the CHS response. Administration of the Th1-promoting cytokine IL-12 during hapten sensitization resulted in a CHS response of greater magnitude following challenge and extended the duration of the response. In hapten-sensitized mice depleted of CD8⁺ T cells, treatment with IL-12 induced effector CD4⁺ T cells. Histological examination of challenged ear tissue from these mice indicated minimal edema and an acute mononuclear cell infiltration more typical of classical delayed-type hypersensitivity than CHS. Hapten-primed CD4⁺ T cells from IL-12 treated, sensitized mice produced IFN-γ, but not IL-4 in response to T cell receptor-mediated stimulation. Use of neutralizing anti-IFN-γ antibody indicated that IL-12 not only directly promoted Th1 development but also indirectly inhibited Th2 development through stimulation of IFN-γ production at the time of hapten sensitization. Overall, these results demonstrate that diversion of CD4⁺ T cell development to Th1 effector cells rather than to Th2 cells alters the efferent nature of CHS and removes a primary regulatory mechanism of the immune response.     

Lipoteichoic acid from Staphylococcus aureus enhances allergen-specific immunoglobulin E production in mice

BACKGROUND: Our previous study demonstrated that lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Staphylococcus aureus induced T helper type 2 (Th2)-prone dermatitis resembling that seen in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients in mice sensitized percutaneously with an allergen. However, the effects of LTA on allergen-specific IgE production in such sensitized mice have not been elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of LTA from S. aureus on allergen-specific IgE production in mice sensitized percutaneously with a house dust mite antigen (MA). METHODS: Mice were sensitized with a single topical application of MA and/or LTA to barrier-disrupted abdominal skin. One to 5 weeks later, MA-specific IgE antibodies in sera from sensitized mice were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of B7.1 (CD80), B7.2 (CD86) and CD40L molecules by CD40-positive (CD40+) and CD4-positive (CD4+) cells in the lymph nodes of sensitized mice were analysed by flow-cytometry (FACS). RESULTS: Simultaneous sensitization with MA and LTA increased IgE production 3 weeks later, significantly more than sensitization with MA alone. FACS analysis of CD40+ cells in the lymph nodes from sensitized mice showed that simultaneous sensitization with MA and LTA did not enhance CD80- or CD86-expression by antigen-presenting cells such as B lymphocytes and dendritic cells more than sensitization with MA alone. However, analysis of CD4+ cells in the lymph nodes showed that simultaneous sensitization with MA and LTA increased the number of CD40L-expressing Th cells more than sensitization with MA alone. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that LTA enhances allergen-specific IgE production by a mechanism associated with up-regulation of CD40L-expressing Th cells and this might explain the role of skin colonization with S. aureus in AD patients.     

CCK-8对KLH免疫小鼠脾细胞Th1/Th2平衡的影响

目的： 探讨八肽胆囊收缩素（CCK-8）对Th1/Th2平衡的调节作用。方法: 给予BALB/c小鼠钥孔戚血蓝蛋白（KLH）免疫同时体内给予不同剂量的CCK-8,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测其脾细胞培养上清中Th1型细胞因子γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素-2（IL-2）和Th2型细胞因子白细胞介素-4（IL-4）、白细胞介素-5（IL-5）水平,逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)法检测脾细胞中IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4、IL-5 mRNA表达;ELISA法检测血清中Th1型抗KLH抗体IgG2a和Th2型抗KLH抗体IgG1水平。结果: ①KLH免疫使小鼠脾细胞分泌Th1/Th2型细胞因子水平明显增高,mRNA表达增高,KLH免疫同时给予CCK-8可使脾细胞培养上清中IFN-γ、IL-2含量进一步增加和IFN-γ、IL-2mRNA表达增高,而使IL-4、IL-5含量降低,IL-4、IL-5 mRNA表达减低和降低IL-4/IFN-γ比值。②KLH免疫小鼠血清中IgG2a、IgG1发生不同程度增高,CCK-8可使其血清中IgG1水平减低而使IgG2a水平增高。结论: CCK-8可促进KLH免疫小鼠体内Th1反应,使Th2优势反应向Th1方向转变。     

Contact allergic response to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in rats: insight from sensitization phase

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is a T-cell-mediated skin inflammatory reaction to cutaneous exposure to small sensitizing chemicals, haptens. Majority of CHS studies were conducted in mice and there is paucity of data in other experimental animals. In the present study, characteristics of contact hypersensitivity reaction to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) were determined in Th1-prone Dark Agouti (DA) rats by evaluating sensitization phase as a function of time-dependent changes in draining lymph nodes (DLN). Apart from basic indices of DLN activity (cellularity and proliferation), the production of cytokines relevant for CHS induction, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) was analyzed. Anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) production by DLN cells was determined as well. Highest production of IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-17 in sensitized animals was observed at day 3 after DNCB application, with a decrease at day 5. Increased messages for IFN-γ and IL-17 were noted at this time point. In contrast to inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) was undetectable during the entire sensitization phase. Differential pattern (IL-6 and IFN-γ) and level (IFN-γ and IL-17) of inflammatory cytokine production was noted in sensitized Th2-prone Albino Oxford (AO) rats. Similarly to DA rats, no changes in IL-4 were noted in AO rats. Strain-dependent differences in inflammatory cytokine production seem to be based on anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Production of IFN-γ concomitantly with undetectable IL-4 in both strains classify rat CHS to DNCB as Th1/type 1 reaction. Detection of IL-17 in sensitized DLN cells points to the involvement of T_IL-17 cells in rat contact hypersensitivity.     

泡球蚴原头蚴抗原和卡介苗对Th1/Th2转录因子和细胞因子的影响

目的探讨泡球蚴原头蚴抗原和卡介苗免疫小鼠对泡球蚴攻击感染的调节机制。方法用实时定量聚合酶链反应检测鼠脾组织中GATA-3及T-bet的mRNA表达水平;酶联免疫吸附法检测鼠血清中白介素4和γ干扰素的含量。结果卡介苗免疫攻击组与PBS对照组的转录因子(T-bet mRNA)和其标志性细胞因子(INF-γ)的表达量,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论实验证明卡介苗(BCG)有上调Th1型免疫反应的作用,用BCG可以干预或治疗由泡球蚴抗原诱导的晚期泡球蚴(AE)动物的免疫抑制状态。     

1型糖尿病患儿CD4~+T细胞亚群变化初探

目的 探讨CD4~+细胞亚群[Th1、Th2、CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+调节性T细胞(Tr)及Th17细胞]在1型糖尿病(TIDM)患儿免疫发病机制中的作用.方法 新诊断TIDM患儿20例,同年龄对照组(Ctrl组)20例.用流式细胞术检测外周血Th1、Th2、Tr及Th17细胞比例.荧光定量PCR(real-time PCR)检测Th1、Th2、Tr、Th17细胞转录因子T-bet、GATA-3、Foxp3、ROR-γt、IFN-、IL-4、IL-10、IL-17A、CTLA-4、GITR等细胞因子和负性调节因子mRNA表达;应用酶联免疫吸附方法(ELISA)检测IFN-γ、IL-4、TGF-β、IL-6血浆水平.结果 (1)与正常对照组相比,TIDM患儿Th1细胞比例明显增高(P<0.01),Th2细胞比例明显降低(P<0.01),Tr和Th17细胞比例与正常对照组相比无明显差别(P>0.05).(2)Th1细胞转录因子及细胞因子T-bet、IFN-γ较正常对照组明显升高(P<0.01);Th2细胞转录因子及细胞因子GATA-3、IL-4明显降低(P<0.01);Tr细胞转录因子Foxp3表达与正常对照组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),Tr细胞相关细胞因子及负性调节因子IL-10、CTLA-4及GITR基因表达明显低于对照组(P<0.01);Th17细胞转录因子ROR-γt及细胞因子IL-17A基因表达与对照组相比无明显差异(P>0.05);(3)TIDM患儿外周血IFN-γ浓度明显增高,IL-4明显降低,TGF-β、IL-6浓度无明显改变(P>0.05).结论 TIDM患儿Th1/Th2失衡,加上Tr细胞抑制功能缺陷,可能导致TIDM严重细胞免疫功能紊乱.     

IL-18 and IFN-gamma expression enhances contact hypersensitivity after oral administration of naturally oxidized olive oil to mice

The consumption of oxidized cooking oils may exacerbate some allergic diseases. A contact hypersensitivity (CHS) mouse model was used to investigate the effects of naturally oxidized olive oil on the expression of inflammatory cytokines after a sensitization and elicitation phase. The mRNA expressions of IL-12, IL-18, and IFN-γ in the ear increased seven days after sensitization. IL-18 and IFN-γ mRNA expressions after elicitation were significantly enhanced by administration of oxidized olive oil, which exacerbated ear swelling and mononuclear cell infiltration from CHS after elicitation. IL-18 expression in the ear of oxidized oil-treated mice was highest before elicitation and decreased with an increase in IFN-γ expression after elicitation. The acceleration of an immune reaction by administration of naturally oxidized olive oil in the CHS mouse model was caused by increased expression of IL-18 in the ear auricles after sensitization, which was followed by a significant increase in IFN-γ expression after elicitation.     

小鼠皮下感染着色芽生菌病皮损中局部细胞免疫功能研究

目的 利用小鼠皮下着色芽生菌病模型,研究在不同的病程发展阶段其T细胞免疫功能的变化.方法 足垫局部皮下注射法建立小鼠的裴氏着色霉感染的着色芽生菌病模型,通过免疫组织化学技术,检测正常小鼠足垫皮肤皮损局部细胞因子IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-10、TNF-α的表达并作为对照组,观察免疫正常组和环磷酰胺免疫抑制处理的免疫抑制组小鼠分别在感染上述真菌后7 d、30 d时,皮损局部细胞因子水平变化,并与对照组比较.结果 在着色芽生菌病小鼠模型中,第7天时,免疫正常组IL-4、TNF-α和IL-10较正常对照组均出现了显著的升高(P＜0.01),表现为Th1和Th2型细胞免疫均增强的模式,并以Th2型为主;30 d时IL-10表达显著下降(P＜0.01),与同期正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.52),IFN-γ、TNF-α水平比7 d时显著升高(P＜0.01),表现为Th2型细胞免疫减弱Th1型占主导的模式.免疫功能受损组第7天时IL-10、IL-4的水平升高与其他两组相比差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01),IFN-γ表达水平则明显下降(P＜0.01),TNF-α的表达与正常对照组相比差异无统计学意义(P=0.39),表现为Th2型细胞免疫增强Th1功能受抑模式;30 d时,IL-10表达水平较7 d时显著减少,但仍然高于同期的免疫正常组和正常对照组,IFN-γ、TNF-α水平显著升高(P＜0.01),但却低于免疫正常组,表现为Th2型免疫模式渐弱Th1功能逐渐增强模式.结论 在不同免疫状态下小鼠着色芽生菌病感染的过程中,随着病情好转存在由Th2型细胞免疫为主导转化为Th1型细胞免疫功能占主导的过程,免疫抑制下主要表现为Th1反应受抑制,Th1型细胞因子在控制着色芽生菌病的发展过程中具有关键性的保护作用,Th2型细胞因子则可能与感染的发展进程相关.     

Contact sensitivity in the murine oral mucosa. I. An experimental model of delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions at mucosal surfaces.

We have examined in a murine model, the potential of the oral mucosa (OM) to serve as inductive and/or expression site(s) of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions. The expression of DTH reactions in the murine buccal mucosa was studied after topical application of oxazolone or picryl chloride onto the OM of animals previously sensitized with either hapten. Irrespective of the site of priming (skin or buccal mucosa), inflammatory cells appeared in the OM following buccal elicitation with the pertinent hapten. The density of infiltrating cells peaked at 24 h after hapten elicitation. Such inflammatory reactions, which comprised mainly mononuclear cells at 24 h, were preceded by an early inflammatory reaction that developed only in animals previously sensitized at skin sites. This early reaction, comprising mainly PMN neutrophils, peaked at 6-8 h, declined by 8-16 h, and was not observed in mice previously sensitized in the buccal mucosa. The 24 h reactions failed to develop in nude mice similarly treated, in intact unsensitized mice, as well as in animals sensitized with an irrelevant hapten. These reactions could be adoptively transferred to naive animals by LN cells but not by serum from sensitized syngeneic donors. Furthermore, LN cell suspensions depleted of T cells failed to transfer sensitization for subsequent OM DTH. Topical application of contact sensitizing haptens onto OM induced priming for subsequent DTH reactions elicited with recall antigen applied at a distant skin site or at a local buccal site. These results demonstrate that the OM has the capacity to serve both as an inductive and as an expression site for T cell-mediated inflammatory reactions, be these expressed or induced at local mucosal sites or at remote systemic (skin) sites. This animal model should be valuable for studying the regulation of T cell-mediated inflammatory responses at mucosal surfaces.     

Epicutaneous exposure to peanut protein prevents oral tolerance and enhances allergic sensitization

BACKGROUND: Food allergies are an important cause of life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions. Oral tolerance can be considered the default immune response to dietary antigens, with immune deviation resulting in allergic sensitization. However, primary sensitization to food allergens may not solely be through the gastrointestinal mucosa, as strong T-helper type 2 (Th2)-biased immunity can result from exposure to protein allergens on barrier-disrupted skin. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether exposure to allergens through the skin may interfere with the normal development of oral tolerance and promote allergic sensitization to food proteins. METHODS: Female BALB/c mice were exposed epicutaneously to peanut protein and induction of systemic oral tolerance through high dose feeds of peanut protein was subsequently assessed. Other mice were rendered tolerant prior to epicutaneous peanut exposure. Sensitivity to peanut was determined by assessing delayed-type hypersensitivity, proliferative, cytokine and antibody responses. RESULTS: Epicutaneous exposure to peanut protein induced potent Th2-type immunity with high levels of IL-4 and serum IgE. Primary skin exposure prevented the subsequent induction of oral tolerance to peanut in an antigen-specific manner. Upon oral challenge, mice became further sensitized and developed strong peanut-specific IL-4 and IgE responses. Furthermore, animals with existing tolerance to peanut were partly sensitized following epicutaneous exposure. CONCLUSION: Epicutaneous exposure to peanut protein can prevent induction of oral tolerance, and may even modify existing tolerance to peanut. Epidermal exposure to protein allergens selectively drives Th2-type responses, and as such may promote sensitization to food proteins upon gastrointestinal exposure.     

Co-stimulation with TLR3 and TLR21 ligands synergistically up-regulates Th1-cytokine IFN-γ and regulatory cytokine IL-10 expression in chicken monocytes

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors of the innate immune system for various conserved pathogen-associated molecular motifs. Chicken TLR3 and TLR21 (avian equivalent to mammalian TLR9) recognize poly I:C (double-stranded RNA) and CpG-ODN (a CpG-motif containing oligodeoxydinucleotide), respectively. Interaction between TLR3 and TLR21 agonists poly I:C and CpG-ODN has been reported to synergize in expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and the production of nitric oxide in chicken monocytes. However, the interaction between poly I:C and CpG-ODN on the expression of interferons (IFNs) and Th1/Th2 cytokines remains unknown. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the interaction between poly I:C and CpG-ODN on the mRNA expression levels of IFN-α and IFN-β, Th1 cytokines IFN-γ and IL-12, Th2 cytokine IL-4, and regulatory IL-10 in chicken monocytes. When stimulated with either agonist alone, CpG-ODN significantly up-regulated the expression of INF-γ, IL-10, and IL-12p40, but not IFN-α and IFN-β; whereas poly I:C induced the expression of INF-γ, IFN-α, IFN-β, and IL-10; but not IL-12p40. However, stimulation with a combinatory CpG-ODN and poly I:C further synergistically increased the expression of IFN-γ and IL-10 mRNA. Our results provide strong evidence supporting the critical role of TLR3 and TLR21 in avian innate immunity against both viral and bacterial infections; and the synergistic interaction between the TLR3 and TLR21 pathways produces a stronger Th1-biased immune response in chicken monocytes. Our result also suggest a potential use of poly I:C and CpG-ODN together as a more efficient adjuvant for poultry vaccine development.     

Airway cytokine responses to acute and repeated stress in a murine model of allergic asthma

Although stress is known to exacerbate asthma, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Using a murine model of allergic asthma, Th1 (interleukin [IL]-2 and gamma-interferon [IFN-γ]) and Th2 (IL-4 and IL-5) airway cytokine responses and Th1:Th2 cytokine ratios to acute and repeated stress were examined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Asthmatic mice showed significantly higher IL-4 level and Th2 predominance, compared with healthy mice. To acute stress, asthmatic mice significantly increased IL-4 but decreased IFN-γ levels favoring Th2 predominance, whereas healthy mice significantly decreased IL-4 level favoring Th1 predominance in BALF. To repeated stress, asthmatic mice significantly decreased IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-5 levels overall favoring Th1 predominance, whereas healthy mice basically maintained the same response profile shown to acute stress. These findings suggest that a significant shift toward Th2 predominance in asthmatic mice under acute stress may be a mechanism underlying exacerbation of asthma.     

Regulation of T helper cell differentiation in vivo by soluble and membrane proteins provided by antigen-presenting cells

The aim of this study was to test whether the nature of the antigen-presenting cell (APC) can influence the Th1 / Th2 balance in vivo. Our data show that dendritic cells (DC), pulsed extra corporeally with antigen, induced the development of cells secreting IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-4 upon antigen rechallenge in vitro. Priming with peritoneal macrophages sensitized cells that produced IL-4 but not IFN-γ. To identify the factors involved in T helper development, mice were primed with APC with or without treatment with neutralizing antibodies to co-stimulatory molecules or cytokines. Our results indicate that priming with DC or macrophages is strictly dependent on the CD28-CTLA4/ B7 interaction. Of note, CD86 provides the initial signal to induce naive T cells to become IL-4 producers, whereas CD80 is a more neutral differentiation signal. IL-12, released by the DC, appears as a potent and obligatory inducer of differentiation for IFN-γ-producing cells. IL-6, although produced by both APC populations, is necessary to direct activation of the Th2-type response by macrophages but not by DC.     

Epicutaneous sensitization with superantigen induces allergic skin inflammation

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by skin infiltration with eosinophils and lymphocytes and expression of Th2 cytokines in acute skin lesions. The skin of patients with AD is frequently colonized with enterotoxin-secreting strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcal enterotoxins have been implicated in the exacerbations of the inflammatory skin lesions in patients with AD. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether epicutaneous (EC) sensitization of mice with staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) results in allergic skin inflammation. METHODS: BALB/c mice were EC-sensitized with SEB. Their skin was examined for allergic inflammation and cytokine expression, and their splenocytes were examined for cytokine secretion in response to SEB. RESULTS: EC sensitization with SEB elicited a local, cutaneous, inflammatory response characterized by dermal infiltration with eosinophils and mononuclear cells and increased mRNA expression of the Th2 cytokine IL-4 but not of the Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma. EC-sensitized mice mounted a systemic Th2 response to SEB evidenced by elevated total and SEB-specific IgG1 and IgE. Although EC sensitization with SEB resulted in selective depletion of SEB-specific T-cell receptor Vbeta8+ cells from the spleen and sensitized skin, splenocytes from SEB-sensitized mice secreted relatively more IL-4 and less IFN-gamma than did saline-sensitized controls, consistent with Th2 skewing of the systemic immune response to the superantigen. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that EC exposure to superantigens skews the immune response toward Th2 cells, leading to allergic skin inflammation and increased IgE synthesis that are characteristic of AD.     

Effects of allergic airway disease on mouse adenovirus type 1 respiratory infection

Virus infection may contribute to asthma pathogenesis. In turn, a Th2-polarized pulmonary environment may increase host susceptibility to infection. We used a cockroach antigen (CRA) model of allergic airway disease to test the hypothesis that Th2 cytokine overproduction increases susceptibility to mouse adenovirus type 1 (MAV-1). CRA sensitization led to upregulated lung expression of IL-4 and IL-13, lung cellular inflammation, and exaggerated airway mucus production. Following intranasal MAV-1 infection, lung cellular inflammation was more pronounced in CRA-sensitized mice than in unsensitized mice at 7 days post-infection but not at a later time point. CRA sensitization did not significantly suppress lung IFN-γ expression, and lung IFN-γ expression was upregulated in both CRA-sensitized mice and unsensitized mice over the course of MAV-1 infection. Despite CRA-induced differences in pulmonary inflammation, MAV-1 viral loads in lung and spleen and MAV-1 gene expression in the lung did not differ between CRA-sensitized and unsensitized mice. Our data therefore suggest that MAV-1 pathogenesis is not affected directly or indirectly by the Th2 polarization associated with allergic airway disease.     

The costimulatory signal upregulation is associated with Th1 bias at the maternal-fetal interface in human miscarriage

PROBLEM To evaluate whether the association of the costimulatory signal regulation with T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) bias at maternal-fetal interface in human pregnancy loss. METHOD OF STUDY The expression of CD80 and CD86 in decidual tissues and CD28 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) in the decidual T cells was compared between normal early pregnancy and miscarriage by qPCR and Western blot. The cytokine production in decidual T cells was performed by flow cytometry. The correlation of costimulatory molecule expression with Th1/Th2 cytokines was analyzed. RESULTS The CD80 mRNA and protein expression showed no significant difference between normal pregnancy and miscarriage. An increase in the expression of CD28 and CD86 was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of CTLA-4 in miscarriage in comparison with the early pregnancy. The higher expression of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and lower expression of IL-4 and IL-10 in the decidual T cells were present in miscarriage. A correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation of CD86 and CD28 expression with the Th1 cytokine production (IL-2 and IFN-γ), a significant negative correlation of CTLA-4 expression with the Th1 cytokine production. CONCLUSION The upregualtion of costimulatory signals on T cells might form an abnormal immune microenvironment, a shift to Th1 responses, at maternal-fetal interface, which leads to human miscarriage.     

Blockade of CD40-CD40 ligand pathway induces tolerance in murine contact hypersensitivity

Interactions between CD40 on antigen-presenting cells and its ligand (CD40L) on T cells has been implicated in T cell-mediated immune responses. Previously, we have shown that contact hypersensitivity (CHS), a cell-mediated cutaneous immune response in reaction to haptens, could be subclassified based on whether the hapten primed for Th1 or Th2 cytokines in cells isolated from draining lymph nodes. We also found that tolerance to a Th2-priming hapten could be induced only by simultane blockade of the CD40-CD40L and B7-CD28 at the time of sensitization. Here we demonstrate that blockade of CD40-CD40L signaling alone induces long-lasting unresponsiveness to the Th1 hapten 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), and inhibits antigen-specific T cell proliferation in vitro. We find that CD40-CD40L signaling is required in the sensitization but not elicitation phase of DNFB-induced CHS, as treatment of mice with anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody (mAb) does not affect the response to hapten challenge in previously sensitized and untreated animals. Examination of cytokine production shows that anti-CD40L mAb decreases interferon-γ production by draining lymph node cells from DNFB-sensitized mice, and reciprocally increases interleukin (IL)-4 production. Consistent with this Th1 to Th2 immune deviation, anti-CD40L mAb prevents the induction of IL-12 mRNA in regional lymph nodes, an event which is normally seen within 12 h following hapten sensitization. In contrast, suppression of CHS by CTLA4Ig decreased the production of all cytokines by draining lymph node cells. Together, these data show that blockade of the CD40-CD40L pathway by itself is sufficient to induce tolerance to DNFB-induced CHS, and that this is associated with blockade of IL-12 induction and Th1 to Th2 immune deviation.