Keiko Kan-o

Frequency of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells is associated with the phenotypes of allergic asthma

Background and objective:  A forkhead/winged‐helix family transcriptional repressor, Foxp3, is highly expressed on CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells. The role of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells in asthma remains to be elucidated. Using mouse models and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from subjects with allergic asthma, we aimed to explore whether Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells associate with asthma phenotypes.

Demethylallosamidin, a chitinase inhibitor, suppresses airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness.

Acidic mammalian chitinase is upregulated in response to allergen exposure in the lung. We investigated the effects of chitinase inhibitors, allosamidin (Allo) and demethylallosamidin (Dma), on asthmatic responses. Mice were subjected to IL-13 instillation into the airways or to ovalbumin sensitization plus exposure with or without treatment of Allo or Dma. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and inflammation were evaluated. Allo and Dma attenuated airway eosinophilia and the upregulation of eotaxin after IL-13 instillation, while Dma, but not Allo, suppressed AHR in IL-13-induced asthma. Allo or Dma suppressed the elevated chitinase activity in BAL fluids after IL-13 to similar levels. The bronchoprotective PGE(2) levels in BAL fluids were elevated after IL-13 instillation. Allo, but not Dma, suppressed the overproduction of PGE(2) and the expression of COX-2 and PGE synthase-1 induced by IL-13. In ovalbumin-induced asthma, Dma suppressed AHR more strongly than Allo. These findings suggest that Dma attenuates asthmatic responses induced by IL-13 without affecting PGE(2) synthesis. Dma may have potential as therapeutic agents for asthma.

T cell treatment with small interfering RNA for suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 modulates allergic airway responses in a murine model of asthma

CD4(+) T cells, particularly T helper (Th) 2 cells, play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of allergic asthma. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins control the balance of CD4(+) T cell differentiation. Mice that lack SOCS3 in T cells by crossing SOCS3-floxed mice with Lck-Cre-transgenic mice have reduced allergen-induced eosinophilia in the airways. Here, we studied the effects of SOCS3 silencing with small interfering (si) RNA in primary CD4(+) T cells on Th2 cell differentiation and on asthmatic responses in mice. Th2 cells were generated from ovalbumin (OVA)-specific T cell receptor-transgenic mice in vitro and transferred into recipient mice. Transfection of SOCS3-specific siRNA attenuated Th2 response in vitro. Adoptive transfer of SOCS3-siRNA T cells exhibited markedly suppressed airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilia after OVA challenge, with a concomitant decrease in OVA-specific CD4(+) T cell accumulation in the airways. To investigate the mechanism of this impaired CD4(+) T cell accumulation, we inactivated SOCS3 of T cells by crossing SOCS3-floxed (SOCS3(flox/flox)) mice with CD4-Cre transgenic mice. CD4-Cre × SOCS3(flox/flox) mice exhibited fewer IL-4-producing cells and more reduced eosinophil infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids than control mice in a model of OVA-induced asthma. Expression of CCR3 and CCR4 in CD4(+) T cells was decreased in CD4-Cre × SOCS3(flox/flox) mice. CCR4 expression was also decreased in CD4(+) T cells after transfer of SOCS3 siRNA-treated T cells. These findings suggest that the therapeutic modulation of SOCS3 expression in CD4(+) T cells might be effective in preventing the development of allergic asthma.

Cigarette smoke impairs phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by alveolar macrophages via inhibition of the histone deacetylase/Rac/CD9 pathways

Efferocytosis, which is the homeostatic phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, prevents the release of toxic intracellular contents and subsequent tissue damage. Impairment of efferocytosis was reported in alveolar macrophages (AMs) of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a common disease caused by smoking. In COPD, histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is reduced in AMs. We investigated whether the reduction of HDAC activity is associated with the impairment of efferocytosis. Murine AMs were collected by bronchoalveolar lavage and their ability to efferocytose apoptotic human polymorphonuclear leukocytes was assessed. Pre-treatment of AMs with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) or trichostatin A (TSA), an HDAC inhibitor, suppressed efferocytosis and CSE reduced HDAC activity. TSA inhibited the activity of Rac, a key mediator of efferocytosis. These TSA-induced impairments were restored by treatment of AMs with aminophylline, a potent activator of HDAC. To further elucidate the underlying mechanism, we explored a role of CD9 in TSA-induced impairment of efferocytosis. CD9 is a transmembrane protein of the tetraspanin family that facilitates the uptake of several pathogens and other material. TSA profoundly down-regulated the expression of CD9 on AMs. The expression of CD9 was partly down-regulated by the Rac inhibitor. Pretreatment with an anti-CD9 mAb or CD9 small interfering RNA inhibited efferocytosis, which was attributable to the reduced binding of AMs to apoptotic cells. These results suggest that smoking impairs efferocytosis via inhibition of HDAC/Rac/CD9 pathways. Aminophylline/theophylline is effective in restoring the impairment of efferocytosis and might have benefit for the treatment of patients with COPD.

Small interfering RNA against CD86 during allergen challenge blocks experimental allergic asthma

BackgroundCD86-CD28 interaction has been suggested as the principal costimulatory pathway for the activation and differentiation of naïve T cells in allergic inflammation. However, it remains uncertain whether this pathway also has an essential role in the effector phase. We sought to determine the contribution of CD86 on dendritic cells in the reactivation of allergen-specific Th2 cells.MethodsWe investigated the effects of the downregulation of CD86 by short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) on Th2 cytokine production in the effector phase in vitro and on asthma phenotypes in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and -challenged mice.ResultsTreatment of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) with CD86 siRNA attenuated LPS-induced upregulation of CD86. CD86 siRNA treatment impaired BMDCs’ ability to activate OVA-specific Th2 cells. Intratracheal administration of CD86 siRNA during OVA challenge downregulated CD86 expression in the airway mucosa. CD86 siRNA treatment ameliorated OVA-induced airway eosinophilia, airway hyperresponsiveness, and the elevations of OVA-specific IgE in the sera and IL-5, IL-13, and CCL17 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, but not the goblet cell hyperplasia.ConclusionThese results suggest that local administration of CD86 siRNA during the effector phase ameliorates lines of asthma phenotypes. Targeting airway dendritic cells with siRNA suppresses airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in an experimental model of allergic asthma.

Prevalence of asthma with airflow limitation, COPD, and COPD with variable airflow limitation in older subjects in a general Japanese population: The Hisayama Study

BACKGROUND Elucidating the prevalence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is important for designing a public health strategy. Recent studies have discriminated a phenotype of COPD with variable airflow limitation (COPD-VAL) associated with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome. Its prevalence remains uncertain. The age and occupational distributions in the town of Hisayama and in Japan are nearly identical. Each diseases prevalence was estimated for the towns residents. METHODS In 2008, town residents (≥ 40 years) were solicited to participate in a health checkup. Individuals with abnormal spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1s/forced vital capacity [FEV1/FVC]<70% and/or %FVC<80%) were recommended for further evaluations. Two pulmonologists in a blinded fashion reviewed their medical records, including bronchodilator reversibility. Individuals with airflow limitation were classified as having asthma, COPD, COPD-VAL, or other diseases. The prevalence of each disease was then estimated. RESULTS A total of 2100 residents (43.4% of residents in the age group) completed spirometry. In 455 residents with abnormal spirometry, 190 residents had further evaluations, and the medical records of 174 residents were reviewed. The prevalence of asthma with airflow limitation, COPD, and COPD-VAL, were 2.0%, 8.4%, and 0.9%, respectively. The prevalence of COPD and COPD-VAL were higher in men and smokers than in women and never-smokers. The prevalence of COPD, but not COPD-VAL or asthma, increased with age. CONCLUSION The prevalence of asthma with airflow limitation, COPD, and COPD-VAL were estimated in a population of residents (≥ 40 years) in Hisayama.

IL-13 suppresses double-stranded RNA-induced IFN-λ production in lung cells.

Acute asthma exacerbations are frequently associated with respiratory viral infections. Although impaired production of type III IFNs (IFN-λs) is related to the severity of asthma exacerbation, the mechanisms underlying deficient IFN-λ production in asthma are poorly understood. Airway epithelial cells were stimulated in vitro with a synthetic mimetic of viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). IL-13, a crucial cytokine responsible for asthma pathogenesis, suppressed dsRNA-induced expression of IFN-λs, and JAK inhibitor AG490 prevented the suppression by IL-13. IL-13 per se did not affect IFN-λ production or the expressions of membrane dsRNA receptor TLR3 and of cytoplasmic receptors RIG-I and MDA5. IL-13-deficient mice exhibited more enhanced IFN-λ expression after intratracheal instillation of dsRNA than wild-type mice, whereas IFN-λ expression after dsRNA was absent in the mouse lungs of the OVA-induced asthma model. These findings suggest that IL-13 may be a putative cytokine suppressing IFN-λ production against airway viral infections in asthmatics.

Essential Role of B7-H1 in Double-Stranded RNA–Induced Augmentation of an Asthma Phenotype in Mice

Clinical and epidemiological studies have shown the contribution of viral infection to the development of allergic asthma. Many RNA viruses, pathogenic for the respiratory tract, generate double-stranded (ds)RNA during their replication. Typical innate immune responses triggered by dsRNA involve the endosomal and cytoplasmic pathways. The former is mediated by Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β (TRIF), and the latter by IFN-β promoter stimulator 1 (IPS-1). We explored the effect of polyinocinic polycytidilic acid, a synthetic dsRNA, on the development of an asthma phenotype in mice. Administration of dsRNA during ovalbumin sensitization augmented airway eosinophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness after an antigen challenge, which was associated with enhanced induction of IL-13-producing CD8(+) T cells. The augmentation was induced in IPS-1-deficient mice but not in TRIF-deficient mice. The interactions between dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells are regulated by B7-family costimulatory molecules, including B7-H1 (also known as PD-L1), a putative ligand for programmed death-1 (PD-1). Treatment of bone marrow-derived DCs with dsRNA enhanced B7-H1 expression in a TRIF-dependent manner. Additionally, dsRNA increased B7-H1 expression on DCs in the draining lymph nodes of ovalbumin-sensitized mice. The augmentation of the asthma phenotype was prevented by the treatment of mice with anti-B7-H1 mAb but not with anti-PD-1 mAb. The augmentation was not induced in B7-H1-deficient mice. These results suggest that dsRNA-triggered activation of the innate immune system in sensitization leads to augmentation of the asthma phenotype via IL-13 mainly from CD8(+) T cells. B7-H1 plays a crucial role in the process without requiring interaction with PD-1.

IL-6 Induced by Double-Stranded RNA Augments Allergic Inflammation via Suppression of Foxp3+ T-Cell/IL-10 Axis

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.

Corticosteroids plus Long-Acting Beta2-Agonists Prevent Double-Stranded RNA-Induced Upregulation of B7-H1 on Airway Epithelium

Background: Airway viral infections provoke exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. B7-H1 is a costimulatory molecule that is implicated in an escape mechanism of viruses from host immune systems. This escape may be associated with the persistence of viral infection and lead to exacerbation of underlying diseases. We have shown that an analog of viral double-stranded RNA, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC), upregulated the expression of B7-H1 on airway epithelial cells, an effect which was corticosteroid-resistant. We investigated the effects of corticosteroids plus long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs; fluticasone/salmeterol or budesonide/formoterol) on the expression of B7-H1. Methods: BEAS-2B cells and primary airway epithelial cells were stimulated with poly IC or respiratory syncytial virus. The expression of B7-H1 was assessed by flow cytometry. Results: Poly IC upregulated the expression of B7-H1, which was suppressed by high-concentration corticosteroids but not by LABAs. The upregulation was suppressed by very low-concentration corticosteroids when used in combination with LABAs. Their combination also suppressed the virus-induced upregulation of B7-H1. Poly IC stimulation induced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor ĸB (NF-ĸB). Inhibitors of NF-ĸB activation prevented the poly IC-induced upregulation of B7-H1. Low-concentration corticosteroids in combination with LABAs enhanced the de novo induction of IĸBα, the endogenous inhibitor of NF-ĸB activation. Conclusions: Fluticasone/salmeterol or budesonide/formoterol attenuate the virus-associated upregulation of B7-H1 on airway epithelial cells via suppression of NF-ĸB activation.