STAT6 expression in multiple cell types mediates the cooperative development of allergic airway disease

J Immunol. 2011 Feb 15;186(4):2571-83. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002567. Epub 2011 Jan 17.

Abstract

Th2 cells induce asthma through the secretion of cytokines. Two such cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13, are critical mediators of many features of this disease. They both share a common receptor subunit, IL-4Rα, and signal through the STAT6 pathway. STAT6(-/-) mice have impaired Th2 differentiation and reduced airway response to allergen. Transferred Th2 cells were not able to elicit eosinophilia in response to OVA in STAT6(-/-) mice. To clarify the role of STAT6 in allergic airway inflammation, we generated mouse bone marrow (BM) chimeras. We observed little to no eosinophilia in OVA-treated STAT6(-/-) mice even when STAT6(+/+) BM or Th2 cells were provided. However, when Th2 cells were transferred to STAT6×Rag2(-/-) mice, we observed an eosinophilic response to OVA. Nevertheless, the expression of STAT6 on either BM-derived cells or lung resident cells enhanced the severity of OVA-induced eosinophilia. Moreover, when both the BM donor and recipient lacked lymphocytes, transferred Th2 cells were sufficient to induce the level of eosinophilia comparable with that of wild-type (WT) mice. The expression of STAT6 in BM-derived cells was more critical for the enhanced eosinophilic response. Furthermore, we found a significantly higher number of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells (regulatory T cells [Tregs]) in PBS- and OVA-treated STAT6(-/-) mouse lungs compared with that in WT animals suggesting that STAT6 limits both naturally occurring and Ag-induced Tregs. Tregs obtained from either WT or STAT6(-/-) mice were equally efficient in suppressing CD4(+) T cell proliferation in vitro. Taken together, our studies demonstrate multiple STAT6-dependent and -independent features of allergic inflammation, which may impact treatments targeting STAT6.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / pathology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology*
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lymphocyte Cooperation / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Cooperation / immunology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Ovalbumin / administration & dosage
  • Ovalbumin / immunology*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / genetics
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / pathology*
  • Respiratory Mucosa / immunology
  • Respiratory Mucosa / metabolism
  • Respiratory Mucosa / pathology
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / deficiency
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Spleen / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / pathology
  • Th2 Cells / transplantation

Substances

  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Stat6 protein, mouse
  • Ovalbumin