Innate immune activation and CD4+ T cell priming during respiratory fungal infection

Immunity. 2006 Oct;25(4):665-75. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2006.08.016. Epub 2006 Oct 5.

Abstract

Aspergillus fumigatus is a mold that causes a spectrum of diseases, including lethal lung infections in immunocompromised humans and allergic asthma in atopic individuals. T helper 1 (Th1) CD4(+) T cells protect against invasive A. fumigatus infections whereas Th2 CD4(+) T cells exacerbate asthma upon inhalation of A. fumigatus spores. Herein, we demonstrate that A. fumigatus-specific T cells were rapidly primed in lymph nodes draining the lung and fully differentiated into interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-producing Th1 CD4(+) T cells upon arrival in the airways. T-bet induction in A. fumigatus-specific CD4(+) T cells was enhanced by MyD88-mediated signals in draining lymph nodes, but T cell proliferation, trafficking, and Th1 differentiation in the airways were Toll-like receptor (TLR) and MyD88 independent. Our studies demonstrate that CD4(+) T cell differentiation during respiratory fungal infection occurs incrementally, with TLR-mediated signals in the lymph node enhancing the potential for IFN-gamma production whereas MyD88-independent signals promote Th1 differentiation in the lung.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation
  • Aspergillosis / genetics
  • Aspergillosis / immunology*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus*
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / genetics
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / immunology*
  • Lymph Nodes / cytology
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Myd88 protein, mouse
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Interferon-gamma