IL-4Ralpha-responsive smooth muscle cells contribute to initiation of T(H)2 immunity and pulmonary pathology in Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infections.

in Mucosal immunology (2010), 4(1), 83-92

Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infections generate pulmonary pathologies that can be associated with strong T(H)2 polarization of the host's immune response. We present data demonstrating N. brasiliensis ... [more ▼]

Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infections generate pulmonary pathologies that can be associated with strong T(H)2 polarization of the host's immune response. We present data demonstrating N. brasiliensis-driven airway mucus production to be dependent on smooth muscle cell interleukin 4 receptor-alpha (IL-4Ralpha) responsiveness. At days 7 and 10 post infection (PI), significant airway mucus production was found in IL-4Ralpha(-/lox) control mice, whereas global knockout (IL-4Ralpha(-/-)) and smooth muscle-specific IL-4Ralpha-deficient mice (SM-MHC(Cre) IL-4Ralpha(-/lox)) showed reduced airway mucus responses. Furthermore, interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-5 cytokine production in SM-MHC(Cre) IL-4Ralpha(-/lox) mice was impaired along with a transient reduction in T-cell numbers in the lung. In vitro treatment of smooth muscle cells with secreted N. brasiliensis excretory-secretory antigen (NES) induced IL-6 production. Decreased protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent smooth muscle cell proliferation associated with cell cycle arrest was found in cells stimulated with NES. Together, these data demonstrate that both IL-4Ralpha and NES-driven responses by smooth muscle cells make important contributions in initiating T(H)2 responses against N. brasiliensis infections.Mucosal Immunology advance online publication 25 August 2010. doi:10.1038/mi.2010.46. [less ▲]