Pulmonary IL-17E (IL-25) production and IL-17RB+ myeloid cell-derived Th2 cytokine production are dependent upon stem cell factor-induced responses during chronic allergic pulmonary disease

J Immunol. 2009 Nov 1;183(9):5705-15. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.0901666. Epub 2009 Oct 14.

Abstract

In the present studies local neutralization of allergen-induced stem cell factor (SCF) leads to decreased production of Th2 cytokines, a reduction in inflammation, allergen-specific serum IgE/IgG1, and attenuation of severe asthma-like responses. The local blockade of pulmonary SCF also resulted in a significant reduction of IL-17E (IL-25). Sorted cell populations from the lung indicated that IL-25 was produced from c-kit(+) cells, whereas Th2 cytokine production was primarily from c-kit(-) cell populations. SCF stimulated c-kit(+) eosinophils produced IL-25, whereas bone marrow-derived mast cells did not. Using 4get mice that contain a IL-4-IRES-eGFP that when transcribed coexpress GFP and IL-4, our studies identified cells that comprised a CD11b(+), GR1(+), Ly6C(+/-), c-kit(-), CD4(-), CD11c(-), MHC class II(low) cell population as a source of IL-4 in the lung after chronic allergen challenge. In the bone marrow a similar cell was identified with approximately a third of the IL-4(+) cells also expressing c-kit(+). The pulmonary and bone marrow IL-4(+) cell populations were significantly reduced upon local pulmonary anti-SCF treatment. Subsequently, when IL-25R was examined during the chronic allergen responses the expression was found on the IL-4(+) myeloid cell population that expressed CD11b(+)GR1(+). Interestingly, the IL-25R(+) cells in the bone marrow were also all CD11b(+)GR1(+), similar to the lung cells, but they were also all c-kit(+), potentially suggesting a maturation of the bone marrow cell once it enters the lung and/or is stimulated by SCF. Overall, these studies suggest a complex relationship between SCF, bone marrow-derived IL-25-responsive myeloid cells, Th2 cytokines, and chronic allergic disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / pathology
  • CD11b Antigen / biosynthesis
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cytokines / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology
  • Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukins / biosynthesis*
  • Lung / immunology*
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Myeloid Cells / immunology*
  • Myeloid Cells / metabolism
  • Myeloid Cells / pathology
  • Receptors, Chemokine / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / metabolism
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / pathology
  • Stem Cell Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Stem Cell Factor / physiology*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / pathology

Substances

  • CD11b Antigen
  • Cytokines
  • Gr-1 protein, mouse
  • IL25 protein, human
  • Il17rb protein, mouse
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukins
  • Mydgf protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Receptors, Interleukin-17
  • Stem Cell Factor
  • Interleukin-4