IL-6 induced by double-stranded RNA augments allergic inflammation via suppression of Foxp3+ T-cell/IL-10 axis

Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2012 Jun;46(6):740-7. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2010-0479OC. Epub 2011 Jul 28.

Abstract

Activation of innate immunity against viruses in the respiratory tracts affects the development of asthma. Most respiratory viruses generate double-stranded (ds)RNA during their replication. We recently showed that a low-dose administration of polyinosinic polycytidylic acid (poly IC), a mimetic of viral dsRNA, during allergen sensitization augments airway eosinophilia and hyperresponsiveness in mice via enhanced production of IL-13 from T cells. However, a phenotype of asthma under severer load of dsRNA remains unknown. d-galactosamine (d-GalN) is known as a strong sensitizer of poly IC. Mice were treated with poly IC plus d-GalN during allergen sensitization. A sublethal dose of poly IC/d-GalN augmented airway eosinophilia and CD4(+) T-cell accumulation in the lungs but not airway hyperresponsiveness. The augmented inflammation was associated with decreased IL-10 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and decreased Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells in the lungs. Serum IL-6 was prominently higher in the mice treated with poly IC/d-GalN than in that with poly IC alone or d-GalN alone. Poly IC/d-GalN did not affect IL-17-producing T cells in the lungs. Poly IC/d-GalN failed to augment airway eosinophilia after anti-IL-10 receptor monoclonal antibody treatment during allergen challenge. Finally, anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody treatment before poly IC/d-GalN completely prevented the decrease of IL-10 and Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells and the augmentation of airway inflammation. These results indicate that enhanced production of IL-6 by poly IC/d-GalN induces the augmentation of allergic inflammation via suppression of Foxp3(+) regulatory T-cell/IL-10 axis. IL-6 may be a target for preventing asthma augmentation related to severe virus infection.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology*
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis*
  • Mice
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / physiology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-6
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • Interleukin-10