CpG oligodeoxynucleotides can reverse Th2-associated allergic airway responses and alter the B7.1/B7.2 expression in a murine model of asthma

J Immunol. 2000 Nov 15;165(10):5906-12. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.165.10.5906.

Abstract

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) administered during Ag sensitization or before Ag challenge can inhibit allergic pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperreactivity in murine models of asthma. In this study, we investigated whether CpG-ODN can reverse an ongoing allergic pulmonary reaction in a mouse model of asthma. AKR mice were sensitized with conalbumin followed by two intratracheal challenges at weekly intervals. CpG-ODN was administered 24 h after the first Ag challenge. CpG-ODN administration reduced Ag-specific IgE levels, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophils, mucus production, and airway hyperreactivity. We found that postchallenge CpG-ODN treatment significantly increased IFN-gamma concentrations and decreased IL-13, IL-4, and IL-5 concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and spleen cell culture supernatants. Postchallenge CpG-ODN treatment also increased B7.1 mRNA expression and decreased B7.2 mRNA expression in lung tissues. These results suggest that CpG-ODN may have potential for treatment of allergic asthma by suppressing Th2 responses during IgE-dependent allergic airway reactions. The down-regulation of Th2 responses by CPG-ODN may be associated with regulation of the costimulatory factors B7.1 and B7.2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Asthma / pathology
  • B7-1 Antigen / biosynthesis*
  • B7-1 Antigen / genetics
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • Bronchial Hyperreactivity / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Conalbumin / administration & dosage
  • Conalbumin / immunology
  • CpG Islands / immunology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down-Regulation / immunology
  • Hyperplasia
  • Immunoglobulins / biosynthesis
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Interferon-gamma / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-13 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-5 / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred AKR
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / administration & dosage
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Respiratory Mucosa / immunology
  • Respiratory Mucosa / pathology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Up-Regulation / immunology

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antigens, CD
  • B7-1 Antigen
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • CPG-oligonucleotide
  • Cd86 protein, mouse
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Interleukin-13
  • Interleukin-5
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Conalbumin
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma