Thymic stromal lymphopoietin-mediated epicutaneous inflammation promotes acute diarrhea and anaphylaxis

J Clin Invest. 2014 Dec;124(12):5442-52. doi: 10.1172/JCI77798. Epub 2014 Nov 3.

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy are closely linked; however, the mechanisms that guide the progression of AD to allergic inflammatory responses at other mucosal surfaces, including the gastrointestinal tract, are not well understood. Here, we determined that exposure of mice that have been epicutaneously sensitized with thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and antigen to repeated oral doses of the same antigen induced acute diarrhea and anaphylaxis. In this model, loss of TSLP signaling specifically in DCs led to loss of induced allergic diarrhea through lack of sensitization. While TSLP responses were not required during oral allergen challenge, CD4(+) T cells were required and transferred disease when introduced into naive hosts. In addition, oral exposure to the antigen prior to skin sensitization blocked development of allergic disease. Finally, mice lacking the receptor for IL-25 failed to develop acute diarrhea and anaphylaxis, highlighting a role for IL-25 in the initiation of type 2 immunity in the intestine. These results demonstrate a role for TSLP and IL-25 in the atopic march from skin sensitization to food allergic responses and provide a model system for the generation of potential therapeutic interventions.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Administration, Oral
  • Allergens / toxicity
  • Anaphylaxis / chemically induced
  • Anaphylaxis / genetics
  • Anaphylaxis / immunology*
  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / chemically induced
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / genetics
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / immunology*
  • Diarrhea / chemically induced
  • Diarrhea / genetics
  • Diarrhea / immunology*
  • Female
  • Food Hypersensitivity / genetics
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Food Hypersensitivity / pathology
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukins
  • Mydgf protein, mouse
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
  • TSLP protein, mouse