Systemic administration of interferon-gamma-expressing plasmid reduces late allergic bronchitis in a mouse model of asthma

Regulation of the development of asthmatic inflammation by in situ CD4(+)Foxp3 (+) T cells in a mouse model of late allergic asthma

CD4(+)Foxp3(+)T cells (Tregs) mediate homeostatic peripheral tolerance by suppressing helper T2 cells in allergy. However, the regulation of asthmatic inflammation by local (in situ) Tregs in asthma remains unclear. BALB/c mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) (asthma group) developed asthmatic inflammation with eosinophils and lymphocytes, but not mast cells. The number of Tregs in the circulation, pulmonary lymph nodes (pLNs), and thymi significantly decreased in the asthma group compared to the control group without OVA sensitization and challenge in the effector phase. The development of asthmatic inflammation is inversely related to decreased Tregs with reduced mRNA expression such as interleukin (IL)-4, transforming growth factor-β1, and IL-10, but not interferon-γ, in pLNs. Moreover, M2 macrophages increased in the local site. The present study suggests that Tregs, at least in part, may regulate the development of asthmatic inflammation by cell-cell contact and regional cytokine productions.

Systemic administration of olygodeoxynucleotides with CpG motifs at priming phase reduces local Th2 response and late allergic rhinitis in BALB/c mice

Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) with CpG motifs (CpG ODN) induce T helper (Th)1-type reaction. We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of CpG ODN in the development of late allergic rhinitis induced by ovalbumin (OVA), which is one of Th2 diseaes, in BALB/c mice. Effects of a single dose of synthetic CpG-ODN (50 microg) intraperitoneally (i.p.) at the priming phase (on day 0) by OVA on the development of late eosinophilic rhinitis at respiratory areas were compared to the control mice treated with its vehicle (ODN without CpG motifs; 50 microg). Animals were again sensitized by OVA (on day 10) i.p., and 4 days after second sensitization animals were challenged by OVA intranasally (on day 14). Four days after challenge, eosinophilic reactions, nasal lesions and local cytokine values were examined. Compared to the control group, the CpG ODN-administration increased production of OVA-specific Th1 cytokine (interferon-gamma) and decreased productions of ovalubmin-specific Th2 cytokines [interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13] in nasal cavity fluids, supernatants of splenocytes and/or sera. Also, eosinophilia and increased total IgE values were decreased in mice treated with the CpG ODN compared to the control group. Moreover, nasal lesions with infiltration of eosinophils were prominently reduced by the CpG ODN-treatment compared to the control mice. The present study suggests that the systemic administration of CpG ODN at the priming phase may reduce local OVA-specific Th2 responses, resulting in decreased nasal pathology in the late allergic eosinophilic rhinitis.

Targeting memory Th2 cells for the treatment of allergic asthma

Th2 memory cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. Evidence from patients and experimental models indicates that memory Th2 cells reside in the lungs during disease remission and, upon allergen exposure, become activated effectors involved in disease exacerbation. The inhibition of memory Th2 cells or their effector functions in allergic asthma influence disease progression, suggesting their importance as therapeutic targets. They are allergen specific and can potentially be suppressed or eliminated using this specificity. They have distinct activation, differentiation, cell surface phenotype, migration capacity, and effector functions that can be targeted singularly or in combination. Furthermore, memory Th2 cells residing in the lungs can be treated locally. Capitalizing on these unique attributes is important for drug development for allergic asthma. The aim of this review is to present an overview of therapeutic strategies targeting Th2 memory cells in allergic asthma, emphasizing Th2 generation, differentiation, activation, migration, effector function, and survival.

Do mouse models of allergic asthma mimic clinical disease?

Experimental mouse models of allergic asthma established almost 10 years ago offered new opportunities to study disease pathogenesis and to develop new therapeutics. These models focused on the factors governing the allergic immune response, on modeling clinical behavior of allergic asthma, and led to insights into pulmonary pathophysiology. Although mouse models rarely completely reproduce all the features of human disease, after sensitization and respiratory tract challenges with antigen, wild-type mice develop a clinical syndrome that closely resembles allergic asthma, characterized by eosinophilic lung inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), increased IgE, mucus hypersecretion, and eventually, airway remodeling. There are, however, differences between mouse and human physiology that threaten to limit the value of mouse models. Three examples of such differences relate to both clinical manifestations of disease and underlying pathogenesis. First, in contrast to patients who have increased methacholine-induced AHR even when they are symptom-free, mice exhibit only transient methacholine-induced AHR following allergen exposure. Second, chronic allergen exposure in patients leads to chronic allergic asthma, whereas repeated exposures in sensitized mice causes suppression of disease. Third, IgE and mast cells, in humans, mediate early- and late-phase allergic responses, though both are unnecessary for the generation of allergic asthma in mice. Taken together, these observations suggest that mouse models of allergic asthma are not exact replicas of human disease and thus, question the validity of these models. However, observations from mouse models of allergic asthma support many existing paradigms, although some novel discoveries in mice have yet to be verified in patients. This review presents an overview of the clinical aspects of disease in mouse models of allergic asthma emphasizing (1). the factors influencing the pathophysiological responses during the initiation and perpetuation of disease, (2). the utility of mouse models for studying clinical manifestations of disease, and (3). the applicability of mouse models for testing new treatments for allergic asthma.

Ultrastructure of goblet-cell metaplasia from Clara cell in the allergic asthmatic airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma in vivo

Mucus overproduction from goblet cells, a characteristic feature of the allergic asthmatic inflammation induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in mice, was examined morphologically. In OVA-untreated (normal) mice, there were no goblet cells in intrapulmonary bronchus and bronchiole. However, goblet cells with or without hyperplasia in the mucosa of inflamed bronchus-bronchiole were recognized in the allergic asthmatic mice. The non-ciliated epithelium containing electron lucent granules (mucus) showed many similarities to Clara cells, which have characteristic secretory granules and many mitochondria, except for the less-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum seen in normal mice. Ciliated Clara cells with or without mucus were rarely recognized. In addition, mucus was found in neither ciliated nor basal epithelium. The present study suggests that goblet-cell metaplasia in the bronchus and bronchiole of inflamed mucosa may be derived, at least in part, from Clara cells.